Futa Fata scoops 2 Irish Language Publishing Awards

SPIDDAL-BASED PUBLISHER SCOOPS TWO OF THREE AWARDS AT OIREACHTAS NA GAEILGE IRISH LANGUAGE PUBLISHING AWARDS

Spiddal, Co. Galway-based children’s publisher Futa Fata and its imprint Barzaz, which publishes contemporary fiction for adults, scooped two of three prestigious awards at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge Publishing Awards on Wednesday 5 October 2022. The first award of the evening was Gradam de Bhaldraithe which celebrates excellence in translation and was awarded to Khalil, a novel by Yasmina Khadra translated from the original French by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire. Inspired by the 2015 real life events of the Paris bombings, the novel tracks Khalil, a 23 year old radicalised Muslim, as he makes his way towards Stade de France with a bomb strapped to his waist. Things go awry for our protagonist, but to what end?

Gradam Réics Carló celebrates excellence in children’s literature and was awarded to An Slipéar Gloine by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly. An Slipéar Gloine is a rhythmic telling of the classic story of Cinderella. Told with humour, the book is a creative feast both for the eyes and the ears. Mac Lochlainn is renowned for his lyrical songs and has won many awards at Oireachtas na Samhna for his lúibíní. 

The final award of the evening went to publishing house Éabhlóid for Bláth na dTulach – Díolaim Ultach, edited by Réaltán Ní Leannáin, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill.

Futa Fata would like to extend the heartiest of congratulations to all winners and indeed all shortlisted authors, illustrators, translators and publishing houses. A buíochas ó chroí to Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Foras na Gaeilge for the recognition of their work. Khalil and An Slipéar Gloine are available in good bookshops nationwide or online at www.futafata.ie and www.barzaz.ie.