BOOKS about poet Seán Ó Riordáin, the journey of the Ark of the Covenant and a grumpy bear are among 10 that have been shortlisted for this year's Irish Language Book of the Year awards. Belfast-born actor Ciarán Hinds, a keen supporter of Irish, announced the shortlist at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin yesterday.
The award, Leabhar na Bliana, celebrates the quality of the writing and the high production values of books by Irish language publishers. "I think it is brilliant that I can tell people wherever I might be that Irish is amongst the world's languages which can boast first class reading material for people of all ages to enjoy," Hinds said.
Five books have been listed in two categories - for adult and young people's book of the year.
Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge, congratulated all those shortlisted. "An Irish proverb tells us, 'the life of a language is speaking it and the written word perpetuates it,'" he said. "The quality of the shortlisted books will ensure the future of the Irish reading public whether for education or entertainment purposes."
The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Belfast on November 12 2014 at the Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in west Belfast.