Meet The Maker: Edel Cassidy at Anthology

With its rolling hills, rugged coastline and rich culture, Ireland feels like the natural home for storytelling and creativity to thrive. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to spotlight a proudly Irish magazine that captures these qualities, so naturally lifestyle magazine Anthology came to mind. We spoke to editor Edel Cassidy about all things Anthology and the wider world of publishing. Discover the story behind the magazine and get into the St. Patrick’s spirit here! 

1) What was the first image, sentence, or idea you pinned to your mood board when creating your magazine? 

The starting point was actually the name, Anthology. I was drawn to its origins in the Greek word anthologia, which means a 'collection of blossoms'. This concept of gathering beautiful pieces felt like the perfect way to frame the magazine's purpose: to offer readers a curated collection of exceptional experiences from the worlds of travel, culture, and lifestyle.

2) What do you hope someone feels when they close the last page?

I hope readers close the last page feeling like they've just been on a journey, that they've discovered a place, a person or an idea that inspired them. I would like them to look forward to the next issue, but still feel like the magazine is something worth holding onto for the coffee table or bookshelf to revisit later to read a favourite story again or share it with a friend. I would hope that something in the pages sparks curiosity — about a far-off culture or even something happening right on their own doorstep. 

3) What's a small detail in your magazine that most people might miss, but means a lot to you? 

Although Anthology is circulated internationally and aims to be universally appealing, I always try to include at least one story in each issue that gives it a subtle Irish stamp. In past issues this has ranged from the story of James Hoban, the Irishman who designed The White House, to the little-known account of the Ottoman Sultan who sent aid to Ireland during the Great Hunger, and the Irish connections of Charlotte Brontë, whose father and husband were both Irish. In the current issue, there is the story of discovering a church outside Lisbon that holds a relic of Ireland's beloved Saint Brigid of Kildare. 

4) What role do you think independent publishing plays right now — politically, culturally, emotionally? 

There's definitely been a resurgence in independent magazines, and I think it's driven by a desire for something tactile, high-quality, and niche — a real counter to digital fatigue. Demand has shifted from traditional mass-market magazines towards publications that feel more like collectible design objects and improvements in printing technologies have made that possible. Beyond the physical appeal, independent publishing also offers space for slower, more thoughtful storytelling in a world that often feels too fast. 

5) How do you see the relationship between print and digital?

For us, print and digital aren't competitors, they're companions, each doing something the other can't. The magazine itself is the heart of what we do. It's the object you hold, the thing that sits on your coffee table, the experience of turning pages and getting lost in a story without notifications interrupting. That's not something a screen can replicate. 
Digital offers immediacy and accessibility — allowing stories to reach readers quickly and widely. It's also how we've found readers in places we would never reach otherwise. With Anthology now available internationally, readers might discover it online long before they ever hold a copy. 

6) A motto or quote you keep in mind when creating 

This brings me back to where it all started — bringing readers a collection of beautiful experiences. Anthology has evolved since those early days — the design has grown, the distribution has expanded, the stories reach further than I ever imagined — but the core message remains the same. 

Inspired by the interview? Shop Anthology issues 21–24 here.