The reading guide is a collaboration between Foras na Gaeilge and Children’s Books Ireland, with the support of Love Leabhar Gaeilge and featured titles range from boardbooks to picturebooks, non-fiction, poetry collections, comics, middle-grade fiction, all the way up to young adult fiction. Copies are available for free to families in 91 participating bookshops and 36 libraries nationwide, including:
· Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic at POTA café – An Tulach Bailen a hAbhann, Galway.
· Easons - Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road, Galway.
· Dubray Books – 4 Shop Street, Galway.
· Galway Public Libraries - Library HQ, Island House, Cathedral Square, Galway.
“Passing on our Irish language to the next generation is a priority for many adults in Ireland today, whether they have a cúpla focal of their own, speak Irish at home, or are entirely new to the language,” said Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde, as she launched ‘Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta 2025' ahead of this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge.
POTA Café, located in the heart of Galway’s Gaeltacht area, will be hosting the Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic where kids will have the opportunity to receive copies of ‘Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta 2025’. The event will be entirely as Gaeilge and is funded by Foras na Gaeilge.
The guide is also free to download on www.childrensbooksireland.ie and www.loveleabhargaeilge.ie
Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said: "In Ireland, we are incredibly fortunate to have such a rich seam of talent in the artists who write and illustrate books for young readers in both our national languages. As Seachtain na Gaeilge approaches, we have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase leabhair Ghaeilge for children and young people, from vibrant picture books through to graphic novels for teenagers. We hope this selection of 100 great reads acts as a helpful signpost for families and teachers, to guide them on their reading journey."
Seán Ó Coinn, CEO, Foras na Gaeilge said: “Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for the promotion of Irish-language publishing and reading in Ireland. Collaborating with Children’s Books Ireland has been such an effective way of amplifying the importance of this new reading guide which features 100 great reads as Gaeilge. Our shared vision of promoting the breadth of high-quality Irish-language books available for children and young people allows us to come together to showcase an excellent selection of Irish-language writers, translators, publishers and illustrators through these fantastic books.”
