The Bell has often been described as the most influential Irish literary magazine of the mid-twentieth century. It was published monthly from 1940 to 1954, beginning in what is known in Ireland as the “Emergency” or World War II era. The list of significant authors whose work was published in its pages includes Sean O’Faoláin, Frank O’Connor, Peadar O’Donnell, Patrick Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien, Liam O’Flaherty, Louis MacNeice, John Montague, Elizabeth Bowen, Austin Clarke, Thomas Kinsella, John Hewitt, Mary Lavin, Maura Laverty, and Denis Johnston, among others. Side by side with these well-known authors, The Bell published the work of emerging writers as well as writing by members of the public. The magazine’s editors welcomed the contributions of anyone in Ireland with a story to tell. The Bell Index includes records for the editorials, essays, short stories, poems, articles, and reviews published in The Bell.
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