Interview with Seán Mac Mathúna
30 April 2013
ClubLeabhar.com administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to award-winning writer Seán Mac Mathúna about his rip-roaring novel Gealach, which is the online book club’s book of the month for May. He offered insight into the important role horses had in his childhood and on his great understanding of them that resulted from this.
You can listen to the full interview by clicking here.
Interview with Gearóid Denvir
28 March 2013
ClubLeabhar.com administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to Prof. Gearóid Denvir of National University of Ireland, Galway, about Liam Ó Flaithearta’s renowned collection of short stories, Dúil, which is the online book club’s book of the month for April.
You can listen to the full interview by clicking here.
Interview with Pól Ó Muirí
28 February 2013
ClubLeabhar.com administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to author and journalist Pól Ó Muirí about his collection of detective stories for adult learners An Bealach Cóir, which is the online book club’s book of the month for March.
You can listen to the full interview by clicking here.
31 January 2013
ClubLeabhar.com administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to author Liam Mac Cóil about his adventure novel An Litir, which is the online book club’s book of the month for February.
You can listen to the full interview here
Interview with Alex Hijmans
02 January 2013
Éamonn Ó Dónaill recently spoke to Alex Hijmans about “Gonta” which is January’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com. “Gonta” is a collection of short stories by the Dutch-born writer. Alex has been living in Brazil for several years now and he portrays the lives of people from various strands of society with empathy and humaneness in his stories.
You can listen to the full interview here
Interview with Alex Hijmans, Victor Bayda and Pádraig Ó Liatháin
28 November 2012
ClubLeabhar.com Administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna spoke to some of the authors who contributed to December’s book of the Month, An Ghaeilge i gCéin.
Interview with Liam Mac Cóil
30 October 2012
ClubLeabhar.com Administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to writer and journalist Liam Mac Cóil about An Prionsa Beag by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, November’s Book of the Month on ClubLeabhar.com. Liam was very animated in his description of this wonderfully imaginative story.
You can listen to the full interview here
Interview with Liam Ó Muirthile
28 September 2012
ClubLeabhar.com Administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to Cork writer and journalist Liam Ó Muirthile about Seán Ó Ríordáin: Na Dánta, October’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com, and he gave an interesting insight into the work of poet Seán Ó Ríordáin and the events in his life that influenced his poetry.
You can listen to the full interview here
Interview with Louis de Paor
27 August 2012
ClubLeabhar.com Administrator Diarmuid Ó Mathúna recently spoke to writer and scholar Louis de Paor, who explained the importance of An Béal Bocht in Irish literature and what author Brian O’Nolan was trying to achieve in the work.
You can listen to the full interview here
Books for the period September - December 2012
3 July 2012
Having received advice and suggestions from club members and from Irish language publishers, we’ve put together a list for the period September – December 2012. The following are the books we have chosen:
September – An Béal Bocht by Myles na gCopaleen
One of the most well-known and appreciated Irish books ever written. Regarded internationally as a masterpiece, its popularity continues to grow over sixty years after its publication.
This book had been out of print for some time but was recently republished. We’re delighted, therefore, to be starting the new series of ClubLeabhar.com with this masterpiece of satire.
October – Seán Ó Ríordáin: Na Dánta
The first collection of poetry chosen as book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com, Filíocht Ghrá na Gaeilge, proved very popular and we’ve therefore decided to choose another poetry anthology for October.
Seán Ó Ríordáin was one of the great Irish language poets of the twentieth century. This book gathers together all of his published poems under one cover for the first time: the three collections available during his lifetime, Eireaball Spideoige (1952), Brosna (1964) and Línte Liombó (1971), as well as his posthumous collection, Tar Éis mo Bháis (1978).
November – An Prionsa Beag by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, translated to Irish by Breandán Ó Doibhlin
This book has been translated to over 250 languages since it was first published in French in 1943. It’s one of the bestselling books of all time and over 200 million copies of it have been sold worldwide.
An Prionsa Beag chronicles an amazing journey through distant countries and planets. This wonderful translation loses none of Saint-Exupéry’s ability to capture the questioning mind of the young. Although the language of the book is simple, there’s a great depth to it. This classic work is suitable for all age groups.
December – An Ghaeilge i gCéin: Pobal agus Féiniúlacht Idirnáisiúnta
Migration, wandering and, occasionally, return have always played a central role in Irish language literature. Many authors, from Máirtín Ó Díreáin to Pádraic Ó Conaire to Myles na gCopaleen, have written about the importance of home and the link between self identity and place of origin.
This collection of short essays looks at the life of the Irish speaker abroad and contains reflections on the identity of the language in an international context. The contributors include students, teachers, journalists and language activists who present their thoughts on the importance of the language and the advantages it gives in places like New York, Canada, Brazil and Russia. This fascinating book examines the connection between language and country and the possibilities for the future.
Dublin Writers’ Festival – Night Town
5 June 2012
Dublin Writers’ Festival is currently underway and tomorrow evening, 6 June, an interesting bilingual event will be taking place in The Workman’s Club on Wellington Quay. The NIGHT TOWN PROJECT is a special bilingual multimedia event that celebrates the landscapes of Dublin at night. Four poets, including Gabriel Rosenstock, will read new work responding to images from Jim Berkeley and Mark Granier, transformed into beautiful on-screen projections by designer Margaret Lonergan, and performed to new music by Seán Mac Erlaine. You’ll find more information about the the event below.
Interview with Gabriel Rosenstock
I recently spoke to Gabriel Rosenstock about his travel book Ólann mo Mhiúil as an nGainséis, about haiku and about Indian spirituality. You can watch the interview by clicking on the play button in the video below.
Book of the month - June 2012
1 June 2012
Ólann mo Mhiúil as an nGainséis, by Gabriel Rosenstock is June’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
The summer holidays are almost upon us, so we’ve chosen a travel book, Ólann mo Mhiúil as an nGainséis by Gabriel Rosenstock, as our book of the month for June. In this book, we’re told about Gabriel and his wife’s trip to Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Chile and the United States.
As well as being witty, the book is philosophical and reflective. Rosenstock strives to point out to his readers the similarities between our culture and those he encounters, encouraging us to see kinship where we would usually only see differences.
Book of the month - May 2012
1 May 2012
Beirt Bhan Mhisniúla, by Pádraig Ó Siadhail is May’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
Pádraic Ó Conaire, a central figure in contemporary Irish-language literature, and two of the women in Ó Conaire’s life (Caitlín Ní Aodha and Mary Morrison) are the central characters in this novel.
In a novel that draws on two of the major themes from Ó Conaire’s own writings, love and betrayal, it falls to the second of the women, Mary Morrison, to come to the aid of the man who has failed her friend Caitlín, and to put Ó Conaire to the test, both as a man and as a writer.
Interview with Pádraig Standún
17 April 2012
I spoke to author Pádraig Standún recently and he had interesting things to say about the book, about writing in a language which is not your mother tongue and about the controversial themes of his books.
Book of the month - April 2012
10 April 2012
I gCóngar i gCéin, by Pádraig Standún is April’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
Book of the month - March 2012
9 March 2012
Éilís Ní Anluain’s first novel, Filleann Seoirse, is March’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
Book of the month - February 2012
7 February 2012
The comprehensive bilingual compilation of Irish language love poetry from the early ages to the modern age, Filíocht Ghrá na Gaeilge, is the book of the month for February on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the poster and your club.
Interview with Máire Mhac an tSaoi
Máire Mhac an tSaoi, author of January’s book of the monthScéal Ghearóid Iarla spoke about the reason she decided to write about this historic character, her writing method and the new novel on which she is currently working.
Book of the month - January 2012
10 January 2012
Máire Mhac an tSaoi’s new historical novel, Scéal Ghearóid Iarla, is the book of the month for January on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the poster and your club.
Books for the period January–June 2012
12 December 2012
Following recommendations from club members, we’ve put together a list of books for the period January–June 2012.
January
For January, we’ve chosen Máire Mhac an tSaoi’s new historical novel, Scéal Ghearóid Iarla. This book was recently awarded Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin / Irish language Book of the Year 2011, at an event in the National Library.
Gearóid Iarla, as the Irish people called Gearóid Mac Gearailt, the third Earl of Desmond, was a Norman Taoiseach, an Irish poet and an English viceroy in Ireland. His rule spread west from Waterford Quay through the counties of Cork, Limerick and Kerry and as far west as Castlemaine. Despite his power, Gearóid Iarla is still remembered as a poet who loved women, and as a druid.
February
In February, our book of the month will be a bilingual collection of love poetry, Filíocht Ghrá na Gaeilge, edited by Ciarán Mac Murchaidh. This is a comprehensive collection which traces love poetry in Irish from the earliest times to the modern day. It offers a wonderful insight into the passion and the strength of love. Every aspect of love is discussed in these poems and songs: the joy of young love; the humour and the fun of love; loneliness and heartbreak; desire and unrequited love; and love turned into hatred.
March
Éilís Ní Anluain’s first novel, Filleann Seoirse, is set in a modern Irish seaside town. When an old friend comes to visit a pair of newlyweds, he leaves his mark on the ménage. The story is revealed through the eyes of the woman. This novel handles feelings and intellect in a clear way and relates as much to the maturing of the characters as to the parting of companions.
April
For April, we’ve chosen I gCóngar i gCéin by Pádraig Standún.
Venice, the pearl of the Mediterranean. A young artist, Adrienne, has come to this ancient, romantic city to start a new life following the breakup of her marriage. She meets Giorgio, a water taxi driver and they become close. But Giorgio has a secret: he’s not Italian but Irish. And Giorgio is not his name at all. He was part of the republican movement during the Troubles and is supposed to be dead. And now criminals and former comrades are after him.
May
We’ve chosen Beirt Bhan Mhisniúla by Pádraig Ó Siadhail as the book of the month for May. This work won the prize for Best Novel – Literary Fiction in the Oireachtas Literary Competition in 2010.
Pádraic Ó Conaire, a central figure in contemporary Irish-language literature, and two of the women in Ó Conaire’s life, Caitlín Ní Aodha and Mary Morrison, are the central characters in this novel.
In a work that draws on two of the major themes from Ó Conaire’s own writings, love and betrayal, it falls to the second of the women, Mary Morrison, to come to the aid of the man who has failed her friend Caitlín, and to put Ó Conaire to the test, both as a man and as a writer.
June
The summer holidays will be upon us, so we’ve chosen a travel book, Ólann mo Mhiúil as an nGainséis by Gabriel Rosenstock, as our book of the month for June. In this book, we’re told about Gabriel and his wife’s trip to Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Chile and the United States.
As well as being witty, the book is philosophical and reflective. Rosenstock strives to point out to his readers the similarities between our culture and those he encounters, encouraging us to see kinship where we would usually only see differences.
Interview with Biddy Jenkinson
9 December 2011
Biddy Jenkinson, author of Duinnín - Bleachtaire ar an Sceilg, December’s book of the month, spoke to us about the importance of the characters in her books and about the similarities between lexicographers and detectives.
Book of the Month December 2011
1 December 2011
Duinnín Bleachtaire ar an Sceilg, the new collection of short stories by the author of An tAthair Pádraig Ó Duinnín – Bleachtaire, Biddy Jenkinson is the book of the month for December on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
Interviews with Aodán Mac Póilín and Nicholas Williams
14 November
I recently spoke to Aodán Mac Póilín, one of the editors of October’s book of the month, +Bás in Éirinn, about his favourite story in the collection, the status of Irish language literature and about the reason death was chosen as the theme of the book.
ClubLeabhar.com recently spoke to Nicholas Williams, the translator of September’s book,Alice in Wonderland. He had many interesting things to say about translating Alice and about translation in general. It’s worth listening to what he has to say, for example, about trying to translate the name “Mr. Bennett”, one of the characters in Pride and Prejudice, into Irish.
Book of the month November 2011
8 November 2011
Breandán Ó hEithir’s hilarious insight into the problems of a student Lig Sinn i gCathú which is suitable for all ages is the book of the month for November on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book.
Book of the month October 2011
11 October 2011
The collection of some of the most important short stories in modern Irish literature Bás in Éirinn is the book of the month for October on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
IMRAM 2011
27 September 2011
The 2011 IMRAM festival will take place between the 14th and the 22nd October and the festival programme is available now!
Book of the month September 2011
7 September 2011
Nicholas Willam’s translation of the famous children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the book of the month for September on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book.
The new season of ClubLeabhar.com
1 September 2011
Thank you very much for all your suggestions regarding the next series of books on ClubLeabhar.com; it was very hard to make a selection. As you know, we have a policy of avoiding books that are too difficult or academic. We hope that you will enjoy the books we have chosen for the coming period, September – December 2011.
September
We’ve chosen the treasure of children’s literature, Eachtraí Eilíse i dTír na nIontas (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), as the book of the month for September. The original version of this celebrated book has been popular since it was first published in 1865. None of the humour or word play of the original text is lost in this excellent translation by the acclaimed scholar Nicholas Williams. When a phrase couldn’t be translated directly to Irish, the translator sought to replace it with its Irish equivalent.
The original English version is available free of charge here and, as usual, an extract from the book and a comprehensive glossary will be available on ClubLeabhar.com.
October
We’ve chosen a new collection of short stories for the month of October: Bás in Éirinn edited by Aodán Mac Póilín and Róise Ní Bhaoill. The seven stories in this collection are among the foremost short stories in modern Irish literature. Works by Liam Ó Flaithearta, Pádraic Ó Conaire, Séamus Ó Grianna, Seosamh Mac Grianna agus Daithí Ó Muirí are amongst those featured in the book.
A parallel English text accompanies each story to assist the reader to practise and develop his language skills without having to endlessly consult the dictionary.
November
We will focus on the historical novel L’Attaque by Eoghan Ó Tuairisc in November. L’Attaque is a short, unusual and moving novel relating to the revolt of 1798 which was sparked by the landing of the French General Humbert in Killala, County Mayo.
December
Breandán Ó hEithir’s novel Lig Sinn i gCathú is our choice for December. This entertaining novel provides a humorous depiction of the problems faced by the disreputable student, Máirtín Ó Mealóid. Breandán Ó hEithir pokes a mocking but incisive finger at academic, religious, political and sporting circles – some of society’s most central groups.
Book of the month June 2011
13 June 2011
The travel book Seal sa Pholainn by Alan Desmond is the book of the month for June.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your club.
Book of the month May 2011
4 May 2011
Rún an Bhonnáin by Proinsias Mac a’ Bhaird is the book of the month for May.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book.
Works of the month April 2011
6 April 2011
The four CD package Niall Tóibín ag léamh Gearrscéalta le Seán Mac Mathúna and the collection of short stories Úlla are the works of the month for April on ClubLeabhar.com.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your bookclub.
The First International Conference on Irish-Language Children’s Literature
15 March 2011
The First International Conference on Irish-Language Children’s Literature will be held in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, on the 8-9 April 2011.
The conference program is available here.
Please spread the word and go along to the conference if you have a chance. Everybody is welcome!
Dramatic Reading of Duinnín ar an Sceilg by Biddy Jenkinson
10 March 2011
Craobh Aimhirgin invite you to Club an Conartha, 6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 on Monday 14th March at 9.00pm when Biddy Jenkinson will be reading from her book Duinnín ar an Sceilg.
Please spread the word and go along to the reading if you have a chance!
Book of the Month - March 2011
3 March 2011
Buille Marfach by Anna Heussaff is the book of the month for March.
Gaelchultúr have designed a poster so that you can advertise the book and your bookclub.
An interview with Anna Heussaff, author of the book of the month for March on ClubLeabhar.com
1 March 2011
In an exclusive interview with Nuachtlitir Ghaelchultúir, the successful author Anna Heussaff talked to Michelle Ryan, administrator of ClubLeabhar.com, about her new detective novel, her life and experiences as an author, and her participation in the upcoming Dublin Book Festival.
You can read the interview here.
Irish language events as part of Dublin Book Festival
There will be many Irish language events as part of the Dublin Book Festival this year. The full festival program can be found here.
Among the activities taking place will be:
• The launch of Tromach Tramach by Orna Ní Choileáin, at 3.00 p.m., Friday, 4 March, City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2.
• Cathal Porter in conversation with Alex Hijmans, at 3.10 p.m., Saturday, 5 March, Council Chamber, City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2.
• Cathal Porter in conversation with Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, at 4.15 p.m., Saturday, 5 March, Council Chamber, City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2.
• New Irish Fiction, at 5.00 p.m., Sunday, 6 March, Council Chamber, City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2. (Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Orna Ní Choileáin and Anna Heussaff, chaired by Liam Carson.)
Book of the month – February 2011
11 February 2011
A Thig Ná Tit Orm by Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé is this month’s book. Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book.
Book of the month – January 2011
4 January 2011
Favela by Alex Hijmans is this month’s book.
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book.
Book of the month – December 2010
2 December 2010
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book of the month for December: the detective story Sceon na Mara by Liam Ó Muirthile.
Book of the month – November 2010
1 November 2010
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book of the month for November: the travel book Ó Chósta go Cósta by Frank Reidy.
Ó Chósta go Cósta
22 October 2010
Congratulations to Frank Reidy who won the Author prize in the Oireachtas Literature Competition for his book Ó Chósta go Cósta. This book is November’s book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com and is available now on www.siopa.ie .
Scéalta Átha Cliath
12 October 2010
Don’t forget that An tAthair Pádraig Ó Duinnín – Bleachtaire has been chosen by Dublin Libraries for the festival Scéalta Átha Cliath. Between the 12th and the 22nd October, the author, Biddy Jenkinson will be reading passages from the book in libraries throughout the Dublin region. More information is available here. Please spread the word, and go to one of the readings if you can.
Book of the month – October 2010
1 October 2010
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book of the month for October: the novel An tAthair Pádraig Ó Duinnín - Bleachtaire by Biddy Jenkinson.
The European Language Label 2010
28 September 2010
ClubLeabhar.com was awarded with the European Language Label at a ceremony in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth on Monday, 27 September. The award recognises creative and innovative ways to improve the quality of language teaching and learning.
Launch of An tAthair Pádraig Ó Duinnín – Bleachtaire by Biddy Jenkinson
28 September 2010
The book An tAthair Pádraig Ó Duinnín – Bleachtaire by Biddy Jenkinson (book of the month on ClubLeabhar.com in October) has been chosen by Dublin Libraries for the festival Scéalta Átha Cliath. Scéalta Átha Cliath will be launched in the National Library at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 29 September. For more information see IMRAM’s website, imram.ie.
Spread the word, and go to the launch if you have a chance!
Launch of the books Buille Marfach by Anna Heussaff and Daoine a Itheann Daoine by Mícheál Ó Ruairc
6 September 2010
Buille Marfach by Anna Heussaff will be launched by the writer Catherine Foley, and Daoine a Itheann Daoine by Mícheál Ó Ruairc wil be launched by the writer Seán Mac Mathúna on Thursday, 16 September, at 7.30 p.m. in the Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, as part of the IMRAM Irish language literature festival.
Spread the word, and go to the launch if you have a chance!
Book of the month – September 2010
31 August 2010
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book of the month for September: the novel Gluaiseacht by Alan Titley.
Book launch
26 August 2010
The new book, Ficheall, by Úna O Boyle will be launched between 2.00-4.00 p.m. on Sunday, 5 September, in the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda, Co. Louth. All are welcome.
For more information on the book and the launch, go to www.ficheall.com and Facebook.
Spread the word, and go to the launch if you have a chance!
The next series of ClubLeabhar.com
19 July 2010
Thank you for taking part in the first series of ClubLeabhar.com. This series has come to an end now but we’ll be back in September. The list of books for the forthcoming season will be available from next month.
We are putting together the list of books for the next series at the moment and we would like to get your recommendations. If there is any Irish book at all that you like and think should be in the next series then send your suggestions to us at eolas@clubleabhar.com or write them on ClubLeabhar.com’s forum.
Book of the month – June 2010
27 May 2010
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book of the month for June: the novel Ar Muir is ar Sliabh by Dermot Somers.
Book of the month – May 2010
28 April 2010
Gaelchultúr has designed a poster for you to advertise the book of the month for May: the novel Cúpla Focal by Anna Heussaff.
Reviews of the book of the month
13 April 2010
Would you like to write a review of ClubLeabhar.com’s book of the month and win €60? Here’s your chance!
From April 2010 onwards, the best review of the book of the month will win a prize of €60. To take part in this competition, send your review to eolas@clubleabhar.com. If it is of a satisfactory standard it will be corrected and posted in the ‘Review of the Book of the Month’ section of ClubLeabhar.com. The review must be written in Irish and should not be more than 600 words in length.
The winning review will be published in the following month’s edition of the monthly magazine Beo! (www.beo.ie), and will be read by thousands of people all over the world.
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Gaelchultúr Teoranta, 11 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Email: eolas@clubleabhar.com