80 years of Cork's Mercier Press: A rebel publisher for the Rebel City

IT is a testament of endurance for any business to operate for eight decades - but this is what Cork- based Mercier Press have achieved this month, as they celebrate being Ireland’s oldest independent publisher.

Founded in April, 1944, by Captain Seán Feehan and his wife Mary with a mere £90, the publishing company was named after Cardinal Mercier in Belgium, a scholar and deep thinker who resisted German occupation during World War I. He was also one of the Cardinal electors in the 1922 papal conclave which selected Pius XI.

When Mercier was established, Captain Feehan, a Tipperary man, based in Collins Barracks in Cork, was the first Irish publisher to attend the famous Frankfurt Book Fair. Since 1955, Mercier has continued to have an unbroken attendance record at this event - the world’s largest trade fair for books, based on the number of publishing companies represented.

Captain Feehan’s attendance at the fair sowed the seed of change in the direction of Mercier’s book list. People who visited the Mercier stand expected to see not just Catholic books, but a range of Irish interest books too - but these were not available, simply because they were not being published.

The disappointment of these visitors was a constant reproach to Captain Feehan, so he decided to address the issue. He began publishing Irish interest books with the intention of presenting Irish culture not only to Irish people themselves, but also to those who were interested in the country, with writing that reflected real life here.

This was in tandem with publishing English translations of bestselling books on theology by German authors. Captain Feehan had taught himself German, and he obtained the world English language rights to these books.

He also had a sideline making religious statues, under licence from a German company using local artists to design them.

One of the most notable early Mercier publications was The Tailor And Ansty, by Eric Cross, which had been originally published in 1942 by Chapman and Hall.

Captain Feehan was undeterred by the controversy surrounding it and went on to republish the book, which has remained in print ever since.

This was a brave move back in the days of steely censorship in Ireland. The Censorship of Publications Board banned many books, many of which have since gone on to become widely read.

In 1946, Mercier published This Tremendous Lover, by Dom Eugene Boylan, which sold over a million copies. A spiritual classic, the author was a Trappist monk.

The 1960s publication Marriage Partnership received widespread condemnation from the Catholic Bishops, who felt it was too explicit as birth control was mentioned, and eventually it had to be sold under the counter in bookshops.

In order to make their reading list more accessible, the Mercier paperbacks were born, and in the days before mobile phones or extensive car ownership, it was a convenience to have a pocket-sized book to read while you were on a train or a bus journey.

John Spillane recalls the early days of Mercier Press when, in 1965, he was interviewed by Captain Feehan for the job of commercial manager. At that time the company was based in Morrisons Island, before it relocated to 4, Bridge Street.

“When I was interviewed in Morrisons Island, Feehan was in his office there reclining on a sofa. I sat down and the conversation flowed between us,” recalls Spillane.

Half an hour later he announced that he had to leave for lunch, and to come back in a week’s time, no mention about whether or not I had secured the job.

“I duly turned up a week later and the conversation started up again, and again I left without knowing what was to be my future.

“But finally, about a month later, I began my career with Mercier at their new premises on Bridge Street.”

Spillane forged a friendship with the great Kerry writer John B. Keane during his time at Mercier.

“Feehan was dealing with the authors himself, but when his workload got too much, he transferred one of the writers, John B. Keane, to me, and that was the start of a great period in my publishing life.

“I have great memories of my visits to Listowel. We used to go for a meal, John B. loved scallops, and then we would chat about our business while walking Ballybunion Strand.

“Back in the pub where he lived, I recall a guy who used to walk an imaginary tightrope down the middle of the bar, there was always a bit of craic going on.

“John’s wife Mary was always lovely and welcoming too.”

When Mercier was based in Bridge street, Maddens pub directly opposite was frequented by dockers.

“When John B. visited Cork he loved having a drink there and engaging in conversation with the lads, which in turn provided him with great inspiration for his stories,” recalled Spillane.

On another occasion John B. agreed to do the honours and launch our book The Magic Of The Shannon in Athlone, and if had a second chance I would have loved to have had a recorder in my pocket, he was so entertaining.

“I was driving back to Listowel to drop him home, and as we set off through Athlone town, we noticed that the people were waving at us from every angle.

It was like the Pope was being driven through the town, and John B. was amazed at being so recognised. As we were stopped at the traffic lights, a guy came racing over and banged on the window- ‘Sir, sir, your bag is on the roof!’”

Mercier press has been publishing books, many of them controversial, for the past 80 years.

“The ethos has always been freedom of speech,” said Carina McNally, Head of Public relations.

In the 1980s, there was great difficulty publishing Writing From Prison by Bobby Sands, which was written on toilet roll and the rice paper of contraband cigarette roll-ups, and a lot of pressure was exerted on Mercier not to do so.

Despite this, Captain Feehan and his daughter Mary published his writings after g a contract with his solicitor Pat Finucane (who was later assassinated.)

In 2023, Mercier Press had the honour of being the only Irish publisher to have been nominated for the prestigious Prix Voltaire prize, which is dedicated to publishers who have typically published works amid pressure, threats, intimidation or harassment, be it from governments, other authorities, or private interests.

Captain Feehan, a man of courage and conviction, ed away in 1991.

Today, Mercier continues to publish fascinating books on Irish culture and history, with its team Carina McNally, PR; Dee Collins, Head of Books; John Spillane, Director; Mary Feehan, Publisher; Sara Treacy, s; Marcus Spillane and Brian Barrett, board ; and Niamh O’Reilly, who looks after social media.

Mercier’s latest publication is Ceoltóirí Chualann: The Band That Changed The Course Of Irish Music, by Cork musician Peadar Ó Riada, a comprehensive of the legendary Irish folk music ensemble.

After 80 years in publishing, Mercier continues to produce books that record the rich cultural tapestry of Ireland, and books which start conversations. Just as Captain Feehan would have liked it.