THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF the Irish Language Publishing Awards nominees have arrived and it’s certainly a day to celebrate.
Sixteen authors, illustrators and publishers have been nominated in this year’s awards encompassing a broad, diverse, and innovative selection of Irish language books to hit the shelves in recent months.
The Irish Publishing Awards are sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge and include three categories: Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the year for adults), Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the year for young people) and Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Book translated to Irish).
The award ceremony will be held at the Mansion House today, where winners will be announced, including a total of €17,000 in prizes for the winners in the three categories.
An tOireachtas is a lead organisation in the Irish-Language sector charged with organising and promoting events as Gaeilge and establishing Irish-language networks. An tOireachtas CEO Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha remarked, “An tOireachtas are delighted to award due credit to the exceptional calibre and outstanding quality of
new Irish writing and publishing reflected in all the books shortlisted this year.”
Nic Dhonnchadha continued, “There has never before been so much choice for Irish Language literature enthusiasts and I wish to commend all Publishing Houses for their invaluable work in their high standard of publishing year after year.”
Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive, Seán Ó Coinn put a fine point on the contributions of Irish publishers, writer and illustrators in the effort to help the language survive as well as thrive. “Our publishers, writers and illustrators depend on each other as a community in order to provide reading material for Irish speakers,” he said, “The long-term success of Irish language publishing continues to depend on governments, north and south, to recognise the importance of literature as part of the fabric of developing a minority language.”
Ó Coinn reminded audiences, “Now is the time to support the publishing sector to allow for continued growth and expansion to add to the excellent work they are currently doing.”
To that end, if you haven’t flipped through an a leabhar as Gaeilge in a while, here’s the sign you’ve been waiting for. If you aren’t able to read more than a cúpla focal, consider supporting the Irish publishing industry by picking up a book for a friend, or niece or nephew, who might enjoy reading one of these sixteen publications.
You can learn more about each book that’s been nominated at www.antoireachtas.ie, in addition to the snippets we’ve included below.
SEACHT dTÍR, SEACHT dTEANGA written by Diarmaid Johnson, published by
Leabhar Breac – A travel book, a language book, a song book and a music book. A
book about people and places from the author’s travels in Europe in the last forty years –
from Inverness to Bucharest, from Connemara to Warsaw.
SÚIL AN DAILL written by Darach Ó Scolaí, published by Leabhar Breac – This
is the story of Conchúir Mac Ardail: clerk, senior councillor, and father. The
modernisation of the lordship, is Conchúr’s dream. Many things stand between
him and its fulfilment – a headstrong master, jealous nobles, empty coffers and his
own human failings. On top of all that, there’s the lord’s son, Féilimí Caoch, a
charismatic warrior-prince who Conchúr wishes to remould as a modern European
ruler.
BLÁTH NA dTULACH – DÍOLAIM ULTACH arranged by Réaltán Ní Leannáin,
published by Éabhlóid – This book is a collection of 28 short stories from 28 writers,
young and old, that commemorates the contemporary style of writing in Ulster.
ÁRASÁN written by Ógie Ó Céilleachair, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – A
quick and engaging novel aimed at young adults. Four students living together in the
same apartment during their first year of college. They are faced with the virtues and
vices of student life throughout the academic year. Nightlife, alcohol, revelry,
societies, clubs, the reality of third level learning, sex, money and the lack thereof,
the challenges of relationships. How will they fare?
FLÓRA NA SAMHLAÍOCHTA written by Bríd Ní Mhóráin, published by
Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta – They create the air that keeps us alive, provide
food, beauty and images to nourish us, connect us to the culture of the world and heal us.
It is time for the herbs to express themselves in their fluent language in the Flora of
Imagination.
POBAL NA GAEILGE: DAONRA, INSTITIÚIDÍ, STÁDAS AGUS CUMHACHT
written by Pádraig Breandán Ó Laighin, published by Cló na nGael – This book
represents a paradigm shift in understanding the Irish-language community and the role of its language in Irish society. A wide-ranging analysis of population, institutional, and status issues is presented in the context of an incisive critique of the ways in which official policies – both overt and covert – influence the distribution of power and control, and facilitate patterns of dominance and marginalization. Given the attractive writing style, the general reader and the specialist alike are invited to look in a new way, under the direction of the author, at the Irish-language community.
AN SLIPÉAR GLOINE written by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and illustrated by
Paddy Donnelly, The author created beautiful movement and rhythm in this latest
version of ‘Cinderella’. Luaithrín is upset by her step-mother, Camilla, and her two awful
daughters, Straoisín and Smaoisín. Younger children will delight in the fun and laughter
that is cleverly incorporated in these rhyming verses – a famous tale known worldwide.
DIALANN EMILY PORTER: THÍOS SEAL THUAS SEAL written by Richie
Conroy and illustrated by Don Conroy, published by LeabhairCOMHAR – Emily
Porter is happy out. Herself and Cian are officially going out, she’s in transition year now
(no homework for a year), and there’s a new teacher at school who is inspiring, kind and a total lash! But it’s not long before things start to unravel for the poor teenager. She has
problems galore. Emily Brontë and Emily Dickinson are literary icons and Emily Porter is delighted that her diary is adding to the literary tradition of the Emily’s.
FÓIR ORM! written by Áine Uí Fhoghlú and illustrated by Deirdre Ní Thuathail &
Clifford Hayes, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – An adventure novel for young
people. Having finished national school, sixth class students take off on holiday to the
island of Inis Mór. Amongst them, twelve-year-old Eoin Ó Dálaigh, who blames himself for his mother’s death. Their plane is blown off course and Eoin arrive on an abandoned
island. How will he survive? An exciting and eventful story that young readers will enjoy.
RITA AGUS AN FATHACH written by Máire Zepf and illustrated by Andrew
Whitson, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór – Rita is a little girl with big ideas. Rita is
worried about the planet and wishes she had a giant who could collect all the plastic from
the oceans and clean up the whole world. But can a giant do all of that alone? Fun and
mischief guaranteed!
SPLUFF SPLAIFEIRTÍ AGUS AN tIONRADH AR AN BPLAINÉAD MARZ
written by Ré Ó Laighléis and illustrated by Ray McDonnell, published by Móinín
- Spluff Splaifeirtí and his friends embark on a journey full of challenges and adventure to the planet Mars. Adventure, exciting characters, challenges and amazing events will
forever change our understanding of mankind’s interest in space exploration.
BUACHAILL AN GHÚNA written by David Williams and translated by Máirín Ní
Mhárta, published by Futa Fata – Dennis lives in a boring house on a boring street
in a boring town but he has just discovered a way to make life more fun and playful – all
he has to do is open his mind! This book will make you laugh and make you cry. You
won’t quickly forget Dennis and his shenanigans!
DÓNALL DÁNA AGUS AN PEILEADÓIR MÓR written by Francesca Simon
and translated by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – A
full colour book that is suitable for the early reader. Horrid Henry loves football and
he needs to win – and it doesn’t matter how. Moody Margaret is also determined to win.
Who will triumph?
KHALIL written by Yasmina Khadra and translated by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire,
published by Barzaz – In this daring, propulsive literary thriller, Yasmina Khadra
takes readers to the margins of Europe’s glittering capitals, through
neighbourhoods isolated by government neglect and popular apathy, if not
outright racism. And he brings to life an unusual protagonist, a young man
struggling with family, religion, and politics who makes fateful choices, and in
doing so dramatizes powerful questions about society and human nature.
ASTERIX AGUS AN FEAR FEASA written by René Goscinny and Alberto Uderzo
and translated by Gabriel Rosenstock, published by Dalen Éireann – During a
violent thunderstorm, a strange fortune-telling soothsayer turns up in the Gaulish village, drawing Asterix’s friends into his web of enticing deception. In the midst of general confusion, Asterix is unable to convince his fellow villagers of the soothsayer’s deceit — whose warnings of foreboding are sure to rip the Gaulish village apart.
AN TRIÚR TRIALLACH: AN CONGÓ written by René Goscinny and Alberto Uderzo
and translated by Seaghan Mac an tSionnaigh, published by Dalen Éireann – Mosaik’s weekly German comic with the characters of Die Abrafaxe was first published in 1976, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running comic series in the world.
For more about the books nominated for Irish Language Publishing Awards, visit at www.antoireachtas.ie.
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