Like every writer, I’m in your inbox with a bit of a quandary. You see in addition to not really knowing who I am, I don’t know who you are.
You could be an artist who wears kerchiefs and drinks like a fish. You could be a little person who lives in a hole in the ground. You could (and this is my favourite one) be a long lost admirer from a past life, who, after decades of searching, has tracked down my newsletter and thought ‘Only Juan could write like that!’
Well this isn’t OnlyJuans.
I’m currently a lady, would you believe it.
I am neither particularly young nor particularly old.
I float around Ireland writing about artists, photographing beautiful people and having all sorts of interesting conversations. It’s not a bad old life.
For reasons best known to my higher self, I began 2023 with the lofty aim of running the new Irish art magazine.
To my credit, there was a gap in the market and to my dismay, I had noooo idea of how much work it would be to try to fill it.
So like any little hobbit with an idea, I set off on an adventure. I journeyed all across Ireland and I even rang up some people on far away shores.
I chatted to sculptors, weavers, jewellers, dancers, painters, leather workers, tattoo artists, singers, musicians, printmakers, illustrators, photographers and many many more.
With the idea that each edition of N Magazine was a party, which needed a location, I began to add in reviews of luxury stays and beautiful places in Ireland.
And I suppose, in many ways, N did become the new Irish art magazine. We covered dozens of new and emerging artists. The magazine was stocked in the National Gallery gift shop, among other independent stores, copies are available from the veritable National Library, the Irish Arts Review began to cover young artists and their chief photographer was spotted wearing our T-shirt. N showed up at various art book fairs and craft fairs like Ballymaloe, where the attendees were equally mystified and disturbed by our very tame and beautiful magazine.
All done, I might add, without ad revenue or grants or support from any sticky political fingers.
Just readers.
People who showed up and said hey this looks cool and bought a copy.
And for that, I am forever grateful.
Ten editions later and at the end of 2023, the initial stage of the project has reached its natural conclusion. I’m pressing pause on publishing new editions of N Magazine and will instead spend the next 12 months sharing the project. A task which ultimately proved too much for the last year.
I’ve accumulated quite a lot of wonderful articles and stories which people need to read. And you, dear reader, are in for a treat.
Every Saturday, I’ll send you a story from N Magazine.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this email list.
I’d like to show you the wonderful artists and places which Ireland has to offer and oh baby, get ready.
And for the rest of the week? Well I’ll be floating around, photographing beautiful people, designing beautiful things and having interesting conversations.
So that’s who I am.
Now the question remains; who are you?
Have a wonderful 2024.
I sure plan to.
Aoife x
If you would like to learn more about N Magazine, please click here.
Wow Aoife, what an achievement! N looks stunning, many congrats on what you've built and much luck in this year of sharing 💚