Thank You & Goodbye
On 2 February 2016, Irish Magic News published its final post, marking the end of a long run as the central news and information hub for magic in Ireland. For collectors looking to trade tricks and paraphernalia, our guide on organising a magic swap meet offers practical advice from the Irish scene. How to organise a magic swap meet for collectors in Ireland For years the site had been the go-to destination for Irish magicians and visiting performers alike — a place where the community could find news, discover events, and connect with one another.
Founded and run by magician Brendan Byrne, the site covered the full breadth of Irish magic: from society meetings and lectures to major conventions. It reported on IBM Ring 85 gatherings, the Society of Irish Magicians, the Ulster Society of Magicians, and many more. The site also published a popular podcast series — IMN (Irish Magic News) — featuring in-depth conversations with magicians including Keith Barry, Aonghus McAnally, Pat Fallon, Quentin Reynolds, Tyler Wilson & Kerry Scorah, Joe O'Donnell & Nevin Cody, and Jack Wise. Discover how the Irish Magic Circle’s lecture series influenced the art of magic in Ireland—read more in our featured article How Irish Magic Circle Lectures Shaped Irish Magic.
The site maintained a Leprechaun donor list recognising supporters who contributed to keeping Irish Magic News running. Donors stayed listed for one year from the date of donation. Discover how one performer restored a piece of magic history in our archive feature, The Magician Who Gave an Old Illusion Booth a Second Life. Past donors included Horace Jaye (May 2015), Brendan Harte (Feb 2015), Seamus Hanratty (Feb 2015), Ger Godley (Feb 2015), Pat Fallon (Dec 2014), and Neville Wiltshire (Nov 2014).
Irish Magic News also offered practical resources: a Beginners Guide for newcomers to magic, a Visitor & Lecturer Guide for international performers coming to Ireland, a directory of Irish Magic Societies, and a Gallery of photographs from events and gatherings. Readers could sign up for an email newsletter and submit news items for publication.
Notable Moments
Among the many stories Irish Magic News covered: Pat Fallon received a Merlin Award (September 2009); Quentin Reynolds earned a standing ovation at The Magic Circle and later appeared as the cover star of The Magic Circular (2015); Sam Blair became the new Chair of the USM (June 2015); and Belfast MagiCon brought together performers including Roberto Giobbi, who presented a Dai Vernon Seminar.
The site also tracked lectures by Marc Paul, Sean Goodman, Dani DaOrtiz, and Fay Presto, as well as events like the Grafton Street Wonderland magic event, the Smock Alley School of Magic, and Shane Gillen's Magic Mush Room at Electric Picnic.
Brendan Byrne himself appeared on RTÉ Radio 1's Mooney Show in April 2011, and the site regularly highlighted radio and media appearances by Irish magicians — from Jim Steinmeyer on Irish radio to Quentin Reynolds on BBC Radio 5, and the documentary The Mysterious McComb.
Irish Magic News was a labour of love for the Irish magic community, and its archive remains a rich record of a vibrant period in Irish magic.
For over a decade, Irish Magic News served as the heartbeat of the Irish magic community, bringing together performers, enthusiasts, and societies from Dublin to Belfast and everywhere in between. The site was the trusted source for announcements about upcoming lectures, magic conventions, and society meetings, helping to keep the close-knit Irish magic scene informed and connected. Through its coverage of both local talent and internationally recognised visiting performers, the publication helped foster a sense of shared identity among Irish magicians and encouraged the next generation of performers to find their place within the craft.
The archive of Irish Magic News remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and evolution of magic in Ireland. From reports on weekend conventions and festival appearances to profiles of magicians specialising in children's parties, weddings, and corporate events, the site captured the breadth of professional magic practice across the country. Though the publication has concluded, its legacy endures in the many performers who were inspired, promoted, and supported through its pages, and in the continued vitality of the societies and events that it so faithfully documented throughout its years of service.