Salmon Poetry, an established Irish poetry publisher, successfully raised over €60,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to relocate its bookshop and literary centre to a former pub in Ennistymon, County Clare. The fundraising initiative drew contributions from 700 supporters, allowing the centre, which was at risk of closure, to secure a new home.
The crowdfunding effort began on August 28, shortly after the original premises' owners informed Salmon Poetry in March 2023 that they needed to vacate by the end of August. Overwhelmed by rising property prices and inadequate personal funds, founder Jessie Lendennie explored several options before settling on the old pub on Main Street, which the owners were keen for Salmon to acquire.
The new location, dating back to the mid-1800s, maintains a 19th-century ambiance. It was officially opened on a Saturday in May 2024 by Senator Martin Conway and plans to host various events including music, poetry readings, and workshops.
Salmon Poetry, co-directed by Lendennie and Siobhán Hutson Jeanotte, was founded in 1981 and has published over 600 volumes of poetry, focusing particularly on new women poets. The successful relocation exemplifies significant community support for maintaining physical bookstores, highlighting their valued presence against the convenience of digital alternatives.