Last night (Monday, 23rd September 2024) at a celebration of publishers and writers of Irish-medium books in the National Irish Language Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, Galway, An tOireachtas, in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge, announced the winners of the 2024 Irish Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards. Three (3) awards were presented: Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (the Irish Language Book of the Year for Adults), Gradam Réics Carló (Irish Language Book of the Year for Children) and Gradam de Bhaldraithe (publications translated to Irish).
Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin was awarded to publishing house, Dingle Publishing, for their work Crainn & Toir written by Máirín Uí Chonchubhair. Publishing House, Futa Fata, received the Gradam Réics Carló Award for Na Trí Mhuicín, written by Áine Ní Ghlinn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly. Gradam de Bhaldraithe was awarded to Éabhlóid for their work Athmháthair, a translation by Máire Nic Mhaoláin of the Italian book Accabadora by Michela Murgia.Twenty (20) books in total were shortlisted this year over the three categories. These annual awards are sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge. The 2024 winners received their awards from Foras na Gaeilge CEO, Seán Ó Coinn alongside the 2024 Oireachtas President, Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa.
“I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s award-winning publishing houses, Éabhlóid, Futa Fata and Dingle Publishing”, said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas. “All the titles which made the 2024 shortlists are of the highest standards and I commend the publishers who have once again excelled in bringing quality Irish language books to the market. The variety and diversity of genre and subject matter clearly illustrates the range of titles available to readers of all age groups. It is a mark of the successful partnership between the publishing houses, writers, illustrators and translators and I wish them continued success.”
Celebrations will continue during the Kildare Readers’ Festival at the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare at 19:00 on Wednesday, 9th October 2024 when the winners of the Publishing Awards will join Tristan Rosenstock (RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta) in An Tolg Liteartha, an event to celebrate publishing and writing as Gaeilge.
A host of new and established Irish-language writers will be recognized at the Oireachtas na Samhna festival in Killarney, Co. Kerry, from 30th October – 3rd November, when the winners of 2024 Oireachtas Literary Competitions will be announced. The Presentation Ceremony is just one of a spectacular, multidisciplinary programme of events to be held during the course of the festival – others include: the Oireachtas Media Awards, performing arts competitions, seminars, book/CD launches, song and dance sessions, workshops, festival clubs, information sessions and so much more.
Details of all festival events are available at www.antoireachtas.ie.
