Shortlists announced for the 2022 Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards
Sixteen books have been shortlisted by An tOireachtas, in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge, for the Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards.
Six are Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the Year for Adults), five in Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the Year for Children) and five in Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Book of the Year for publications translated into Irish).
The 11 publishing houses shortlisted include An tSnáthaid Mhór, Barzaz, Cló Iar-Chonnacht, Cló na nGael, Dalen Éireann, Éabhlóid, Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta, Futa Fata, Leabhar Breac, LeabhairCOMHAR and Móinín.
“I congratulate the publishing houses appearing on this year’s shortlists, as well as the authors, illustrators and translators involved in all of these exceptional books,” said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas.
“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. 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 said: “I congratulate the publishers, authors and illustrators on being nominated for the shortlists of the publishing awards. Our publishers, writers and illustrators depend on each other as a community in order to provide reading material for Irish speakers. With development and growth in the publishing sector, more Irish language books are being read year after year.
“However, 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. 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.”
SHORTLISTED BOOKS
The books shortlisted in the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin category are: Seacht dTír, Seacht dTeanga written by Diarmaid Johnson, published by Leabhar Breac; Súil an Daill written by Darach Ó Scolaí, published by Leabhar Breac; Bláth na dTulach – Díolaim Ultach arranged by Réaltán Ní Leannáin, published by Éabhlóid; Árasán written by Ógie Ó Céilleachair, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Flóra na Samhlaíochta written by Bríd Ní Mhóráin, published by Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta; and Pobal na Gaeilge: Daonra, Institiúidí, Stádas agus Cumhacht written by Pádraig Breandán Ó Laighin, published by Cló na nGael.
The five books shortlisted in the Gradam Réics Carló category are: An Slipéar Gloine written by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly; Dialann Emily Porter: Thíos Seal Thuas Seal written by Richie Conroy and illustrated by Don Conroy, published by LeabhairCOMHAR; Fóir Orm! written by Áine Uí Fhoghlú and illustrated by Deirdre Ní Thuathail and Clifford Hayes, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Rita agus an Fathach written by Máire Zepf and illustrated by Andrew Whitson, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór; and Spluss Splaifeirtí agus an Tionradh ar an bPlainéad Marz written by Ré Ó Laighléis and illustrated by Ray McDonnell, published by Móinín.
In the Gradam de Bhaldraithe category, the shortlisted books are: Buachaillan an Ghúna written by David Williams and translated by Máirín Ní Mhárta, published by Futa Fata; Dónall Dána agus an Peileadóir Mór written by Francesca Simon and translated by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Khalil written by Yasmina Khadra and translated by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire, published by Barzaz; Asterix agus an Fear Feasa written by René Goscinny and Alberto Uderzo and translated by Gabriel Rosenstock, published by Dalen Éireann; and An Triúr Triallach: An Congo witten by René Goscinny and Alberto Uderzo and translated by Seaghan Mac an tSionnaigh, published by Dalen Éireann.