An Gúm
 | |
| Formation | 1925 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Irish Government |
| Type | |
| Headquarters | 63-66 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, Ireland[1] |
| Website | forasnagaeilge.ie |
An Gúm (pronounced [ənˠ ˈɡuːmˠ], "The Scheme") is an Irish publisher. Tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials, it was previously a state company of the Republic of Ireland. It now has an all-Ireland identity as part of Foras na Gaeilge.[2] Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."[2] Edel Ní Chorráin is Director of Publishing, Lexicography & Terminology Services.[3]
History
[edit]An Gúm was founded in 1925[4] as part of the Department of Education[5] by Ernest Blythe, then Minister for Finance in the Irish Free State. Its purpose was to ensure a supply of textbooks and general books which would be required to implement the policy of reviving the Irish language.
The agency provided financial support for native Irish-language writers and published original writing in Irish by authors such as Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Seosamh Mac Grianna and Tomás Ó Criomhthain. An Gúm regularly publishes new editions of many books written and published in the 1920s and 1930s.
Translations
[edit]Many of the early publications were translations (from 1940 on, less and less translation of literary titles were undertaken). There were many translations of English-language books by American, British and Irish authors,[6] including well known titles such as Dracula and Wuthering Heights.[7] [8] At the time there was some criticism of Ernest Blythe regarding the choice of titles to be translated.
There were some translations from other European languages,[6] for example short stories by Chekhov and plays by the Spanish author María de la O Lejárraga were published. Lejárraga's plays were performed in Irish at Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe.[9] There was a dearth of drama in Irish and Lejárraga, who often referenced Roman Catholic viewpoints, was seen as reflecting values shared by many Irish speakers.
Art work
[edit]The Burns Library at Boston College has a collection of original dust jackets in good condition.[10]
Music
[edit]Until well into the 1960s, An Gúm also published musical scores, some of them expressly for educational purposes at Irish schools. During the 1930s and 1940s, this was one of the few publishing opportunities for contemporary Irish composers including Rhoda Coghill, Aloys Fleischmann, Redmond Friel, Carl Hardebeck, John F. Larchet and Éamon Ó Gallchobhair.
Belfast Agreement
[edit]An Gúm remained part of the Department of Education until 1999 when, with the Belfast Agreement, its functions were moved under the cross-border body, Foras na Gaeilge, which has a statutory obligation in respect of the publication of Irish language materials for education.[2]
Offices
[edit]Historic offices
[edit]An Gúm was based on O'Connell Street, Dublin, for much of the 20th century, before moving to premises in a building on North Frederick Street, shared with the National Educational Psychological Service, among others.
Irish was the working language of the office which incorporated a library of past publications.
Foras na Gaeilge
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The head office of Foras na Gaeilge is at 63-66 Amiens Street, Dublin 1 (in Irish 63-66 Sráid Amiens, Baile Átha Cliath 1, Éire). It opened in 2018.[1] There are offices at other places including Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal.
Projects
[edit]The word "gúm" means "plan", "scheme" or "project". The agency was also known, in its early days, as An Scéim Foillsiúcháin (the publication scheme).[4]
As well as publication and re-publication of books in Irish, including the editorial work involved, An Gúm has also been involved in several larger projects. These include:[citation needed]
Lexicography
[edit]The most famous book published by An Gúm is arguably the Foclóir Póca ("pocket dictionary"). This pocket Irish/English and English/Irish dictionary is described on the www.forasnagaeilge.ie website as an all-time bestseller in Ireland. Other dictionaries have been published by An Gúm, including those by Niall Ó Dónaill (Irish-English Dictionary) and Tomás de Bhaldraithe.[citation needed]
Foclóir Nua Béarla-Gaeilge
[edit]An Gúm is working on a project to develop a New English-Irish Dictionary.[11] Step 1, involving planning and design, was completed in autumn 2004. Step 2 of the initiative, involving writing the dictionary, was in progress as of 2010.[needs update]
Séideán Sí
[edit]As part of its remit to develop educational materials and textbooks in Irish, as of 2010 An Gúm was developing an "integrated, enjoyable and child-centred course for the teaching of Irish which aims to develop the language, cognitive, emotional and creative skills of the child".[12] The syllabus is specifically, but not exclusively, designed for use in Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna, where teaching takes place through the medium of the Irish language. Séideán Sí is a joint initiative of Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Education. A range of materials are available, including books, posters, workbooks and cards.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "A new era as Foras na Gaeilge moves to a new head office on Amiens Street" (Press release).
- ^ a b c Official description in English Archived 13 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine, on Foras na Gaeilge site.
- ^ Edel Ní Chorráin appointed as Director of Foras na Gaeilge Publishing, Lexicography & Terminology Services
- ^ a b Dáil Éireann – Volume 42 – 28 June, 1932, Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. – An Gúm Archived 2 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Cuireadh "An Gúm" nó an Scéim Foillsiúcháin atá ar siubhal faoi Roinn an Oideachais, cuireadh sin ar bun go hoifigeamhail fá ughdarás na Roinne Airgid ar an 6adh lá de Mhárta, 1925., An Gúm, or the "Publication Scheme", was in progress under the Department of Education, founded officially under the authority of the Department of Finance on the 6th day of March 1925.
- ^ Official description in Irish Archived 13 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine, on Foras na Gaeilge site.
- ^ a b "Free State Art Judging Ireland by its Book Covers". 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ Dracula as Gaeilge Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, on udar.ie site.
- ^ Wuthering Heights was never officially banned in Ireland. However, the 1930s film adaptation was banned by Irish censors.
- ^ Muñiz, Iris (2021). "Sobre la recepción irlandesa de los Martínez Sierra (incluyendo un epistolario inédito entre María Martínez Sierra y una de sus traductoras, Cecilia Wheeler)". Anales de la Literatura española contemporánea, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 117–46 (in Spanish). 46 (2): 117–146. JSTOR 27113898. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Under cover". 2004.
- ^ New English-Irish Dictionary, project page.
- ^ Brochure for Séideán Sí, 1999 Archived 13 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine, (Irish and English)
External links
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