10th Anniversary Derry Radical Bookfair
January 31, 2026
Pilots Row Community Centre (Rossville Street)
Derry, Northern Ireland
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Derry Radical Bookfair Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Derry Radical Bookfair at Pilots Row Community Centre.
Over the last decade the Radical Bookfair has played an important part of the city’s political calendar in the heart of the Bogside. Political books, discussions and debates have engaged the local audience, as well as those who have travelled from further afield, just to take part in discussions or buy new or old political literature. One of the organising committees spoke ahead of this years 10th anniversary celebrations, stated that, “It’s hard to believe that we’re marking our tenth year already. It’s amazing to think of the amount of book launches, discussions or events we’ve created over the last number of years.
“Most of the small independent book sellers and publishers have stayed with us over the year’s and for very many it has turned it into an pilgrimage of sorts. We would like to that each and everyone of them.”
This years Radical Bookfair will see many familiar faces return once again, as well as several new stall holders to support the ongoing work and fantastic space organisers have created each year in Rossville Street.
The idea first came to the local organiser’s following similar events in both London and Dublin. The committee member said that “Some of us regularly attended the London Anarchist Book Fairs in the late 80s and 90s. These events have always been a focal point for anarchist ideas and discussions, as well as a great source to pick up radical political literature. Books and publications that wasn’t readily available here in Derry.
“I guess at the time, Derry and Belfast had radical independent bookshops such as Bookworm or Justbooks. Both locations were ideal to pick up anarchist, feminist or queer political material. It was always your first point of contact for radical literature.”
Since the first Radical Bookfair took place in Derry, it has played a vital part of the annual Bloody Sunday March for Justice week of events in Derry.
They continued, “Some of our participants hold different radical ideas, practices, traditions and none. What we have created is a space in support of small press publishers and independent book sellers, circulating radical reading materials from independent distributers, non-party political campaigns and groups to share their publications and merchandise, most of which are difficult to pick-up in mainstream book shops.
“You’ll find books of local, national and international interest including social and labour history or themes covering radical feminism, queer liberation, anarchism, marxism, republicanism and environmentalism.
“Derry has one most vibrant radical history on the island of Ireland. That’s a radical history which has shaped the world around us. It’s a proud tradition of working class radicalism that has changed society for the better, so it’s no surprise that we continue that tradition with our own Radical Bookfair and that it plays an equally important role within the Bloody Sunday March for Justice Week of events. We hope that Derry Radical Bookfair can grow and allow our class to educate, agitate and organise ourselves with ideas that continues to change the world around us.”
The Derry Radical Bookfair takes place on Saturday 31st January 2026 at Pilots Row Community Centre in Rossville Street from 12noon until 5pm.
- Derry Anarchist Black Cross