Seachtain na Gaeilge is here!

While we in the Irish language community speak the language year-round, this festival is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing feats our community has achieved. And in terms of literature for children, there is a wider range of books in Irish than ever before.

In order to grow and preserve the language, we have to pass it on to the younger generations. It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent, guardian, aunt, uncle, teacher or babysitter (or if you have a friend who fits one of those descriptions), you can give a book in Irish to a child you know. Additionally, if the child’s parents don’t have much Irish, the parents might learn some as they read. The language-learning journey will be a lot less scary when they have a book for children in their hands!

This is why we published Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta 2025 – to encourage the general public to read through Irish and to encourage bookshops and libraries to make children’s books in Irish more visible on their shelves. We have selected ten books from this new reading guide below to give you a taste of the amazing books available in Irish for young readers. Read on!

• Teach Teidí (Sadhbh Rosenstock, illustrated by Ciara Ní Dhuinn, published by Picnic Press): Young readers will be singing aloud as they follow Teidí and his friends. Each turning of the page introduces a new catchy song with gorgeous illustrations. Play the songs by scanning the QR code in the book.
• Fuaimeanna na Feirme (Risteard Mac Liam, illustrated by Anna Shabaltii, music by Anna Jordan, published by My Irish Books): This sound book is filled with rhyme and music. Young readers will imagine themselves in the countryside, learning about the environment and various animals. The music and farm sounds mix naturally throughout.
• An Snag Breac Ildaite (Emma Baskin, illustrated by Serena Scully, published by LeabhairCOMHAR): A magpie learns that he isn’t dull-looking at all and that he should be confident in himself. The text is accessible and the pages are filled with bright colours to help the reader appreciate the beauty of nature and discover beauty within themselves.
• An Drúchtín agus an Seilide (Oein DeBharduin, illustrated by Olya Anima, published by Skein Press and Little Island Books): Two brothers become friends as they learn to recognise their similarities in spite of their differences. This is a folk tale from the Traveller community that will encourage discussions among young readers about accepting other cultures.
• Óstán na bhFeithidí (Áine Ní Ghlinn, illustrated by Mr Ando, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór): Meet the various insects and their families as they find a room in the bug hotel. Readers won’t be afraid of bugs after reading this – each is depicted with simple shapes and introduced in verse. This is the second in a series and the previous book in the series, Ag Buzzáil sa Ghairdín, was selected for World Book Day 2025.
• Ó Bhó, na Beacha! (Pauline Devine, illustrated by Róisín Curé, published by An Gúm): The beehive in Mamó’s back garden was destroyed but Mamó and the other animals in the garden decide to save the bees. Not only is the environmental significance felt in this book, but the strong personalities of all characters will have young readers empathising with the animals.
• Orla Uan i gClós na Feirme (Eibhlín Uí Iarlaithe, illustrated by Dómhnal Ó Bric, published by Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne): Written in the Munster dialect but with helpful notes at the back, we follow Orla (the sheep) as she chats with other animals and with the farmers. Readers will learn about farm work in a fun way through the eyes of the sheep. The book includes a QR code that directs the reader to the audiobook version with farm sounds adding to the atmosphere in the background.
• An Fia sa Choill (Sadhbh Devlin, illustrated by Anastasia Melnykova, published by Futa Fata): Readers will recognise Fionn Mac Cumhaill, but few books have been written about his wife, Sadhbh – the author’s namesake. With the magic of Irish legends and illustrated with a Celtic feel, Sadhbh transforms from a deer into a beautiful woman.
• Draíocht an Dúlra (Gráinne Holland, illustrated by Morgana Weeks, published by Corcra Media): Each season is given life and meaning through the music and illustrations in this book. Young readers will imagine themselves in the middle of the woods, appreciating the beauty of nature. The QR code inside will direct readers to recordings of the beautiful songs as they read.
• Mór agus Muilc (John Óg Hiúdaí Neidí Ó Colla, illustrated by Kim Sharkey, published by Éabhlóid): Mór and Muilc discover a crab on the beach and believe it to be death itself! As they try to run from it, they meet a cast of characters of all shapes and sizes that follow them. This is a folk tale from Donegal with a brilliant circular narration.

Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta is a collaboration between Foras na Gaeilge and Children’s Books Ireland, with the support of Love Leabhar Gaeilge.

By Conall Mac Dhonnagáin, Irish Language Officer, Children’s Books Ireland

Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta 2025 is available in participating bookshops and libraries nationwide, with a downloadable version here and at www.childrensbooksireland.ie. This project is a collaboration between Foras na Gaeilge and Children’s Books Ireland, with the support of Love Leabhar Gaeilge.