Shortlists Announced for the 2023 Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards

The shortlists for the Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards were announced live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, today, 15th of August 2023, by An tOireachtas, in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge. The awards consist of three categories - Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the Year for Adults), Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the Year for Children) and Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Book of the Year for publications translated into Irish). 

 

Twenty (20) books in total have been shortlisted this year – seven (7) in the category, ‘Irish-Language Book of the Year for Adults’; seven (7) in the Children’s Book category and six (6) in the category for translated works. 

 

The 9 Publishing Houses shortlisted include An tSnáthaid Mhór; Barzaz; Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Cló Léann na Gaeilge (CLÓ); Dalen Éireann; Futa Fata; Leabhar Breac; LeabhairCOMHAR agus Picnic Press. Full details of works are available below.  

 "The requisite set of skills for successfully stewarding a book on its journey from the author’s first draft all the way into the hands of the reader is a multifaceted one in the fast paced world of today”,  said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas, “and we are fortunate to have so many leading edge publishers bringing beautifully crafted Irish-medium books to the market.   I congratulate the Publishing Houses appearing on this year’s shortlists as well as the authors, illustrators, editors, designers and translators involved in the publication of all of these exceptional books.  Readers will be spoiled for choice with the range and diversity of works shortlisted which include novels, collections of essays and poetry, picture books for our young readers and exquisite translations from other languages." 

 

The winners of the awards will be announced at an awards ceremony at the end of September 2023. A collective prize fund of €17,000 will be awarded. Details of all publications are available at www.antoireachtas.ie.

 

More Information: 

Síle Mhic Dhonnacha, An tOireachtas     T: +353 (0)87 9463405     E: sile@antoireachtas.ie  


Notes for Editor

  1. Prizes will be awarded as follows: €5,000 to the publisherof the book chosen for Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin and €2,500 to the author of the work; €5,000 to the publisher of the book chosen for Gradam Réics Carló, €1,250 to the author of the work and €1,250 to the illustrator; €1,500 to the publisher of the book chosen for Gradam de Bhaldraithe and €500 to the translator of the work. 
  2. The Irish Publishing Awards are sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge. 
  3. An tOireachtas is a lead organization in the Irish-Language sector charged with ‘Organising & Promoting Events as Gaeilge& Establishing Irish-Language Networks’. 

  4. Oireachtas Literary Competitions were established in 1897 and provide a platform for Irish-language writing today. Some of the greatest Irish writers of the last century are past winners, Pádraig Mac Piarais, Máirtín Ó Cadhain and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. 
  5. An tOireachtas showcase event each year is the Oireachtas na Samhna festival which features the best of sean-nós (traditional old style) performing arts, including junior and senior competitions, formal and informal music and singing sessions, exhibitions, seminars, drama and a host of fringe events. The festival will take place this year from 1-5 November 2023 in Killarney, Co. Kerry. 

  6. An tOireachtas organizes and promotes an extensive calendar of events, including the Annual Oireachtas Media Awards, to celebrate excellence in the Irish language media; the Oireachtas Literary Competitions, to promote new Irish writing; and a series of sporting, cultural and arts events in various locations throughout the 32 counties and all up to date information regarding our events is available online at antoireachtas.ie.

 

Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin

 

ÉANLAITH IARTHUAISCEART THÍR CHONAILL written by Maitiú Ó Murchú, published by LeabhairCOMHAR – A collection of photographs and text about the birds of Northwest Donegal, a part of the country that the author knows well. This is a unique book that provides information and material about over 100 species of birds.

 
AN ÓIGE AGUS AN ATHBHEOCHAN written by Ríona Nic Congáil, published by Cló Léann na Gaeilge  – This book closely examines the attempts of the Irish revival movement to recruit the youth and put them to work for the benefit of the Irish language.

 
Léann na Sionnaine curtha ina eagar ag  Aengus Ó Fionnagáin & Gordon Ó Riain, published by Cló Léann na Gaeilge  – This book is a series of essays that cover various topics of Irish studies from the period of Early Modern Irish to today.

 
CEALLACH written by Diarmuid Johnson, published by Leabhar Breac  -  Ceallach: prince and monk; exile and hermit – this book is his story. This is our story as well, the story of the part our forebears played in European civilisation one and a half thousand years ago.

 
DHÁ LEAGAN DÉAG: LÉARGAIS NUA AR AN SEAN-NÓS written by Philip Fogarty, Tiber Falzett & Lillis Ó Laoire, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – This book is a collection of essays in which various aspects of the traditional Irish-language singing tradition are discussed with a focus on the period following the Irish-language Revival.

 
NOLLAIG OILEÁNACH written by Micheál Ó Conghaile, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – This is a memoir about Christmas time growing up in the 1960s and early 1970s on a small remote island, Inis Treabhair, which is situated off the coast of Connemara. The author, Micheál Ó Conghaile grew up on Inis Treabhair and in this memoir, he mostly writes about his childhood memories of Christmas, but also about life in general in this small community.
BÉAL NA PÉISTE written by Fionntán de Brún, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – When Réamann Prut lands in Belfast in 1988, he is returning to his home town as a stranger. He takes notice of the big advertisements for the secret phone number for the police, a service to share information about terrorists and lift a burden from your conscience.

 

 

Gradam Réics Carló

 

TEACH TEIDÍ written by Sadhbh Rosenstock and illustrated by Ciara Ní Dhuinn, published by Picnic Press - A fun-filled story where Teidí and his family invite us into their house and bring us to the land of make-believe. Join the teddies on their adventures with beautiful illustrations by Ciara Ní Dhuinn, songs and rhymes for children by Sadhbh Rosenstock.

 
INIS MARA written by Tristan Rosenstock and illustrated by Mark Wickham, published by LeabhairCOMHAR - This is a modern adventure story about climate change, the value of working with others, and the importance of the truth. Readers both young and old will enjoy and benefit from Éabha's adventures as she tries to save her community from the crooked leader who is destroying the island. And the story reminds us over and over again that no man is an island.

 
BLÁTH FIÁIN written by Méadhbh Ní hEadhra and illustrated by Deirdre Ní Thuathail & Clifford Hayes, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht – Mikey, Hannah and Rónán are best friends from Spiddle. Mikey struggles to express his feelings about Hannah while she has her own problems to deal with. Rónán gets caught in the middle of them, supporting each of them. On results night for the Junior Cert, something happens that will change the course of all of their lives…
PÚCAÍ SHMÚCAÍ AGUS DÁNTA EILE written by Gabriel Rosenstock and illustrated by Una Woods & Tarsile Kruse, published by Futa Fata – This beautiful collection of Gabriel Rosenstock’s poetry for children features old favourites and brand-new verses. Tarsila Krüse and Úna Woods have captured the clever fun of the poems in their full-colour illustrations.

 
AMUIGH FAOIN SPÉIR written by Sadhbh Devlin and illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald, published by Futa Fata - A joyful celebration of the beauty of nature and the special sofa-snuggles that follow a big adventure in the great outdoors.

 
EOINÍN AG DUL A CHODLADH written by Muireann Ní Chíobháin and illustrated by Róisín Hahessy, published by Futa Fata - When Eoinín wakes at night, it’s not easy to fall asleep again. But there is one that will make him sleepy. Help Eoinín count all his sheep friends. Will he fall asleep again then?
AG BUZZÁIL SA GHAIRDÍN written by Áine Ní Ghlinn illustrated by Andrew Whitson, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór - Billy the Bee is always hard at work. Billy the Bee collects nectar everyday from the beautiful flowers in the garden. Billy works from morning until night.
A lovely story written in rhyme by Áine Ní Ghlinn and colourfully illustrated by Andrew Whitson.

 

Gradam de Bhaldraithe

 

SIÚRMÓ written by Jean-Claude Izzo and translated by Bernadette Nic an tSaoir, published by Leabhar Breac  – This second novel in Izzo's acclaimed Marseilles trilogy is a touching tribute to the author's beloved city, in all its color and complexity. Fabio Montale is an unwitting hero in this city of melancholy beauty.
CUAIRT SAN NIOCLÁS written by Clement Clarke Moore and translated by Darach Ó Scolaí, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht  – Two hundred years ago Clement Clarke Moore composed ‘Cuairt San Nioclás’, more commonly known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’.

 
NA RÍTHE BEAGA written by Delphine de Vigan and translated by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire, published by Barzaz – A masterfully written contemporary story about children who have far too much of their lives displayed on social media. The author explores an increasingly navel-gazing society, in which everything is staged and up for sale, including family happiness.

 
DOG MAN AS GAEILGE written by Dav Pilkey and translated by Máirín Ní Mhárta, published by Futa Fata – Both young and old readers will laugh their hearts out as they read this first volume in the famous Dog Man series, available for the first time in Irish. Follow the fluffy hero Dog Man on his adventures as he tries to keep the town safe from strange creatures of all shapes and sizes!

 
AN BUACHAILL, AN CAOCHÁN, AN SIONNACH AGUS AN CAPALL written by Charlie Mackesey and translated by Máire Zepf & Antain Mac Lochlainn, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór – A book for all ages, a book for all time. Adapted into the BAFTA and Oscar winning short animated film. Enter the world of Charlie's four unlikely friends, discover their story and their most important life lessons.

 
ART ABÚ! SCOIL NA NARRACHTAÍ written by David de Thuin and translated by Caitlín Nic Íomhair, published by Dalen Éireann - In this first book of the series, we follow Art’s adventures as he tries to save his friends from a villain who has cast a mind-control spell on them but who is it?