An Open Letter to Newsagents and Parents

A letter warning of the 'unclean literature' available in Ireland.

This leaflet informed parents about ‘obscene’ books and warned shopkeepers it was a ‘mortal sin’ to sell them. Instituted in 1929, the Censorship of Publications Board imposed a censorship regime that was gradually reformed from 1967. Although relying on the public to submit publications for banning, most complaints came from Catholic vigilance societies. The letter is taken from "The Cross", a Catholic publication. It insists that certain publications are a source of corruption. It argues that Censorship Board does not go far enough, and that more reading material needs to be regulated.

This letter shows how a culture of shame persisted in Ireland. It also indicates the power of the Catholic Church at that time.

The banning of 10,000 books by Irish authors between 1930-1967, usually for featuring sexuality or criticising clerical authority, marginalised many Irish writers.

Object number: HA:2018.10.25

More Information:

Some background information on Censorship in Ireland - Following the creation of the Irish Free State (1922-1937) a Committee on Evil Literature was appointed. The Censorship of Publications Acts of 1929 followed. It established the Censorship of Publications Board. Publications could be banned that were considered to be indecent or obscene. This included works that described crime, contraception and abortion.

Listen to Dr Aoife Bhreatnach’s Podcast, Censored: https://censored.ie/censored-podcast/#:~:text=Censored%20Episodes%20%E2%80%93%20CENSORED-,Censored%20Episodes,magazines%20between%201929%20and%201998. [Accessed 22/4/2025]