Longford News proprietor Vincent Gill has a rather unconventional approach to newspaper publishing.
After returning from America 34 years ago, Vincent Gill established The Longford News with £170. He is the editor, advertising manager, circulation manager and sole writer. The newspaper sells over 5,000 copies every week.
The Longford News is a unique, provincial Irish newspaper and, in the words of Vincent Gill, is "a daft newspaper". Under Vincent Gill this provincial newspaper is run with an individual imaginative, casual approach to publishing based on fun and not profit. The paper is less concerned about current affairs, politics or sport. Vincent Gill writes about whatever theme takes his fancy. He claims he can make news out of anything and is not interested in conventional reporting, looking instead for the oblique stories to tell.
Our newspaper sells because we avoid these things.
The very different approach of Vincent Gill to publishing also extends to administration at the newspaper. He claims that he has not done the accounts for years.
The Longford News was first established in a cottage which is home to Vincent Gill and a number of stray and nameless cats and dogs.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 18 February 1971. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
