Irish language author Áine Ní Ghlinn has been announced as the sixth Laureate na nÓg – Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate. Ní Ghlinn is the first author who writes exclusively in Irish to be awarded the honour, and will hold the title from now until 2022.

Laureate na nÓg is an honour which was established in 2010 to engage young people with high quality literature and to underline the importance of children’s literature in our cultural and imaginative lives. It is an initiative of the Arts Council, administered by Children’s Books Ireland with the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Poetry Ireland.

Originally from Tipperary, Áine Ní Ghlinn is a children’s writer and poet, who has written over 30 books, including poetry collections and an array of books and novels for children and teenagers.

“I am humbled and excited at being appointed Laureate na nÓg," said Ní Ghlinn. "It is the high point of my writing career and an incredible honour to be the first Irish language writer awarded the honour. As a central part of my Laureate term, I want to raise the profile of children’s literature as Gaeilge and to bring leabhair Ghaeilge do pháistí into the mainstream conversation. I want children, parents, grandparents, teachers to have the same access to high quality children’s literature as Gaeilge as they already have in English. Children deserve the opportunity to engage with Irish language literature for pleasure and not just as schoolwork.”

See Áine Ní Ghlinn read 'An Cailín a Théadh Isteach sa Bháisteach' below: