Irish Language Special: Why we've never had it so good (english)

Ireland’s song-writing tradition and the nation’s ‘Pirate Queen’ were the subjects of this year’s winners at the ‘Leabhar na Bliana’ or ‘Book of the Year’ award ceremony. The awards were presented by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, at a ceremony in the Gallery of Photography in Dublin’s Temple Bar..
‘Leabhar na Bliana’, an allisland competition organised by Oireachtas na Gaeilge and sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge, celebrates Irish language literature, its publishers and authors with two awards: Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (best book for adults) and Gradam Réics Carló (best children’s book). These prestigious awards are presented annually from a shortlist of five titles in each category. The winning publisher of the young people’s book gets a €6,000 prize, the author €2,000 and the illustrator €2,000. The winning publisher of the adult prize gets €6,000 and the author receives €4,000.
Speaking at the ceremony, Liam Ó Maolaodha, Director of Oireachtas na Gaeilge, congratulated the winners and highlighted the strength and variety of the titles shortlisted.
He acknowledged each shortlisted entry as a work of art and emphasised how important it was that the shortlisted books “receivedue recognition for their creativity.”
This year’s Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin was won by Cló-Iar Chonnacht’s ‘Leabhar Mór na nAmhrán’, a collection of four hundred songs in the sean-nós tradition, many of which have been published for the very first time in this magnificent tome. This hugely impressive book also contains notes on the history and origins of the songs, as well as crediting their composers where possible.
The effort and dedication put into the publication of this work is evident even at first glance. The book is a must-have for singers of Irishsongs, students of Irish and anyone with an interest in the great Irish tradition of songwriting and singing.
The collection was edited by Mícheál Ó Conghaile, Lochlainn Ó Tuairisg and Peadar Ó Ceannabháin.
Entertainment news sources are more likely to feature reports on music and film piracy than stories of attacks at sea, but the winner of the Gradam Réics Carló deals with a kind of piracy more likely to be found in classic literary works. Cló Mhaigh Eo’s ‘Gráinne Mhaol’ is a graphic novel version of the adventures of Ireland’s pirate queen, Gráinne Mhaol or Granuaile. The novel was written by Gisela Pizatto and illustrated by Bruno Büll. Both Pizatto and Büll live and work in Brazil and their work was translated directly into Irish by Iarla Mac Aodha Bhuí. Though it is an Irish tale, it’s clear that the story holds a universal appeal. Pizatto, an artist and teacher, has a great love of all things Celtic and this is reflected within this beautifully produced work.
It may have received the award in the ‘young readers’ category, but this book will be of interest to readers of all ages, especially those with an interest in graphic novels, illustration or the story of Gráinne Mhaol. Gráinne is one of the most iconic characters in the history of Ireland, and certainly one of the most renowned female characters. Even those with no more than a cúpla focal will find something to enjoy in this epic story of the female chieftain and pirate, due to its incredible illustrations and easy-to-follow layout.
Also in attendance at the award ceremony was Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, CEO of Foras na Gaeilge. Speaking at the ceremony Mac an Fhailigh was full of praise for the quality of publications in Irish. He highlighted Foras na Gaeilge’s support for the industry.
“The standard of Irish language publishing gets better each year and this year is no exception,” he said. “We’re backing these awards with an €80,000 marketing campaign to help publicise both the quality and quantity of Irish language books that are available to the public and the range and high production standards are due directly to the tremendous efforts by a small but dedicated band of Irish language publishers. Like them I hope that this will be their best year ever for sales and that our marketing campaign will help to highlight books in Irish as being the perfect gift for Christmas 2013.”