Magic realism, songs of the sea, Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, Emma Mhic Mhathúna commemorated in poetry and Máire Mhac an tSaoi’s final literary work.
These are just a few of the many, many Irish language books published over the past year, books that reflect the ever-increasing range and depth of voices as Gaeilge.
This year has been yet another bumper year for all ages, with the volume, quality and standard of books as Gaeilge increasing from year to year.
Impossible then to cover them all in one short article, so this is just a blaiseadh beag, a taster of some of the standout books published over the past year.
A novel exploration of the shared Gaelic heritage of Ireland and Scotland
The best crime fiction of 2024: Robert Harris, Jane Casey, Joe Thomas, Kellye Garrett, Stuart Neville and many more
Every Valley: The Story of Handel’s Messiah by Charles King – Not the work of a ‘lone genius’ but a collaborative achievement
Waking up to Christmas
It’s not often we encounter magic realism in Irish language literature. Daithí Ó Muirí's Mná (Cló IarChonnacht) brings us into a strange new world where anything can happen, including ghost mothers who return to visit their children
Six collections of short stories deserve a mention, four from one publisher.
Majella Ní Dhomhnaill’s first collection, Cuimhní Poircealláin (Cló IarChonnacht) explores a range of themes including love, loss and the fragility of life. The title story takes us into the mind of a porcelain doll who has been cast aside by its now teenage owner!
Súile Éisc (Cló IarChonnacht), from novelist and former journalist Michelle Nic Pháidín, focuses on death, revenge, heartbreak and betrayal. Nic Pháidín’s range of perspectives is quite extraordinary as she takes us deep inside the mind of every character.
Pádraic Breathnach is another writer who gets right inside the mind of his characters as he explores the complexities of human relations in Póg Mo Thóin agus Scéalta Eile (Cló IarChonnacht). While the themes are often dark, there is generally a glimmer of hope.
It’s not often we encounter magic realism in Irish language literature. Daithí Ó Muirí's Mná (Cló IarChonnacht) brings us into a strange new world where anything can happen, including ghost mothers who return to visit their children.
Geansaithe Móra (LeabhairCOMHAR) is Gearóidín Nic Cárthaigh’s first collection of flash fiction stories. Nic Cárthaigh doesn’t waste a word as she deals with teenage pregnancy, family trauma, love, sorrow and silence.
[ November’s young-adult fiction: fantasy worlds and alien encountersOpens in new window ]
Also from LeabhairCOMHAR, Alan Titley’s Scéalta Nollag retells old bible stories, sometimes with a modern twist and a dark look at the Christmas obsession with consumerism. Racism also rears its ugly head as Mary and Joseph are warned that Egypt is just for the Egyptians.
Fewer novels than usual have arrived through my door this year, but the four listed below are worth a look over the Christmas season.
Tír Bheag (Barzaaz) translated by Antain Mac Lochlainn from Gael Faye’s Petit Pays, takes us from present day France to Burundi and Rwanda in the early 1990s. The young Gabriel gives us an insight into childhood in a multicultural family, coping with political unrest and seeking refuge abroad.
A novella from Mícheál Ó Conghaile, An Bhlaosc Sa mBois (Cló IarChonnacht) takes us into the darkest corners of our own relatively recent history, exploring the events in mother and baby homes. A disturbing but worthwhile read.
Bláthnaid by Darach Ó Scolaí (Leabhar Breac) is one of the great love stories of the Ulster cycle. Loved by two heroes, the daughter of the King of Man is abducted to Kerry and bloodshed results. Anastasia Melnykova’s illustrations will make this a book for the coffee table.
Fiche (Leabhar Breac) is a first novel from short story writer Colm Ó Ceallacháin. Set in a parallel Ireland not too different from the one we know, this is a story of love, relationships and tragedy.
A few more novels are due for publication as I write.
An extraordinary number of collections of poetry deserve a place on this year’s Christmas list – too many to fit into even the largest stocking. With great difficulty, I have narrowed my choice down to 13.
Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair’s Cathréim agus Tóir (Arlen House) is the third in a trilogy of verse retellings of old stories and includes a highly entertaining modern version of Oisín’s trip to Tír na nÓg.
[ Best new children’s fiction: From Christmas fun to deliciously dark magicOpens in new window ]
Also from Arlen House, Cathal Ó Searcaigh’s Gafa i nGaza draws on early Irish literature, Greek mythology and the Old Testament as well as poems of love and loss, There’s also a smidgen of humour – such as the 80-year-old woman learning Irish who now uses only the future tense: ‘Beidh me/ Rachaidh mé/ Mairfidh mé’ – (I will be/I will go/I will live). She’s definitely my role model for the future!
Celia de Fréine has long been one of my favourite poets. Her 11th collection, Focal den Fhírinne: A Grain of Truth explores the timeless struggle to make sense of the world around us
Dairena Ní Chinnéide’s Teacht Aniar (Éabhlóid) is a selection of poems from the past 20 years as well as 30 new poems – all giving an insight into the heart, mind and spirit of one of our most powerful female voices.
Also from Éabhlóid, two more powerful female voices. In Caitríona Ní Chléirchín’s fifth collection, Rince Aeir, we find haunting poems of love, loss and loneliness, while identity, belonging and emigration are among the recurring themes in Idir Dhá Fhearsaid, a superb first collection from Róise Ní Bhaoill.
In another debut collection, Dhá Scór Eala (Cló IarChonnacht), Aingeal Ní Chualáin celebrates people and place. From the outset, we are gloriously rooted in her native Conamara.
In Dóirse an Teampaill (Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta) Marie Whelton’s spiritual poetry takes its inspiration from a range of sources from the scriptures to the poetry of Mary Oliver.
Celia de Fréine has long been one of my favourite poets. Her 11th collection, Focal den Fhírinne: A Grain of Truth (Arlen House), explores the timeless struggle to make sense of the world around us.
Also from Arlen House, Gabriel and Ron Rosenstock’s Tafann na dTonn: The Barking Waves is a collection of bilingual photo-haiku. Worth reading Gabriel Rosenstock’s afterword where he examines the connection between mindfulness and photo-haiku.
Alan Titley’s Hellolúia! (Arlen House) covers a wide range of themes and takes a sharp, sarcastic and often humorous look at the world around us.
Louis de Paor’s Cé a Mharaigh Emma Mhic Mhathúna (Éabhlóid) celebrates life, loss, nature and politics. Echoing Who Killed Cock Robin, the title poem questions the responsibility for Emma Mhic Mhathúna’s death and takes a sarcastic look at those who supported her in death but not in life.
Louis de Paor was also involved in the publication of Máire Mhac an tSaoi’s final work, Amhrán Amheirgin, An Chailleach Bhéarra and Amhra Cholm Chille (Leabhar Breac). De Paor’s English translations add an extra dimension to Máire Mhac an tSaoi’s modern retelling of these early Irish poems.
Finally, Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill’s Léaslínte (Coiscéim) has given me my first insight into the writings of Norwegian poet Jan Erik Rekdal. With echoes of Rumi at times, one of my favourites here is Raon (Track/Path) where the poet explains how poetry opens the door into a wide, airy room with a roof so high the birds could build their nests there.
Lots there for the grown ups, but of course we all know that Christmas is really for children. Plenty here for young readers of all ages.
Board books include the next in the series about Eoinín, Muireann Ní Chíobháin & Róisín Hahessy’s adorable, ultra-cuddly sheep. This time, in Bearradh Gruaige d’Eoinín (Futa Fata), Eoinín needs a haircut.
Fuaimeanna na Feirme by Risteard Mac Liam, Anna Shabaltii & Anna Jordan (My Irish Books) is a delightful soundbook for little fingers, celebrating the sounds of the farming world.
Sadhbh Rosenstock & Ciara Ní Dhuinn’s An Nollaig le Teidí (Picnic Press) take us on a Chrismtas Eve adventure into a magic-filled gingerbread house. Even the books are edible – but the teddies must get home before Santa arrives.
Alan Titley’s Óró is a fast-moving fantasy following the adventures of a young boy who stows away on a ship in the hope of finding fortune in El Dorado
Muireann agus Pluais na bhFoghlaithe Mara (An tSnáthaid Mhór) is the seventh in the series about Muireann, the brave little girl who is always ready to overcome her fears to save and explore. This time she braves the pirates’ cave in search of her dog, Bran.
From Humpty Dumpty to Going on a Bear Hunt, children will love the rhymes and rhythms of Gabriel Rosenstock’s translations of old nursery rhymes. Mamaí Gé (Éabhlóid) is a treasury of children’s verse, stunningly illustrated by Kim Sharkey.
Another children’s treasury from Futa Fata, Ceol na Mara is a magnificent collection of songs of the sea, composed by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin with music by John Ryan and fun-filled illustrations by Una Woods and Tarsila Kruse. Scan the QR code to sing along with Tadhg, Caitlín Ní Chualáin and the children of Scoil Sailearna.
Also from Futa Fata, Sadhbh Devlin’s An Fia sa Choill, illustrated by Anastasia Melnykova, is a haunting retelling of the love story of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his wife Sadhbh who was turned into a deer for refusing to marry against her will.
Finscéalta as Éirinn (O’Brien Press) is Particia Nic Eoin’s translation of Eithne Massey’s Best Loved Irish Legends. These include Fionn agus an Fathach/Fionn and the Giant, An Bradán Feasa/The Salmon of Knowledge and other old favourites.
For young adults, Antain Mac Lochlainn explores friendship, loneliness, isolation, bullying and courage in Éanna Corr (Leabhar Breac). A must for teenagers.
Also from Leabhar Breac, Alan Titley’s Óró is a fast-moving fantasy following the adventures of a young boy who stows away on a ship in the hope of finding fortune in El Dorado.
Jackie Mac Donncha’s Oiread na Fríde (Cló IarChonnacht) tells the story of a mother who begins to date again after her husband’s death and looks at the response of her teenage son and daughter.
Graphic novels are popular in all languages and we have two excellent translations this year.
In Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper, Charlie and Nick discover that their unlikely friendship might be something more. A superb translation by Eoin McEvoy, published by Futa Fata.
Translated by Seanán Ó Coistín, Brian C Mac Giolla Mhuire & Katelyn McKenna and published by Gliadar, Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim is the fun-filled story of a 23-year-old young man who must dump his high school girlfriend and defeat seven evil exes in order to date the love of his life, Ramona Flowers.
Lots more worth a read. Drop into the nearest Siopa Leabhar or order through your local bookshop. Give Leabhar Gaeilge to someone you know this Christmas.
Áine Ní Ghlinn’s most recent book is Saintí sa Bhaile, illustrated by Mr Ando and published by An tSnáthaid Mhór. Her rhyming version of Na Trí Mhuicin (illustrated by Paddy Donnelly and published by Futa Fata, won Gradam Reics Carló, Irish language Children’s Book of the Year, 2024)
