Ireland Literature Exchange

What is Ireland Literature Exchange (ILE)?

Ireland Literature Exchange is the national organisation for the international promotion of Irish literature, in English and Irish. We do this primarily by offering translation grants to international publishers. We also offer residential bursaries to literary translators, organise translator and author events at international festivals and participate regularly in the major world book fairs. In addition, we welcome applications from Irish publishers who wish to publish international literature in translation.

A not-for-profit organisation, ILE is funded by both Arts Councils in Ireland, by Culture Ireland and by Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge/The Irish Language Books Board. Established in 1994, ILE has funded the translation of almost 1000 books into 40 languages in 34 countries.
 
 

What does ILE do?

 
 

Translation Grants

Who can apply?

International publishers who are seeking support for translations into foreign languages; Irish publishers seeking support for translations from foreign languages into English or Irish.

Which works are eligible?

Biography, children’s literature, drama, literary fiction, history, poetry and literary criticism. A sample of recently funded ILE translations is available by clicking here.

Please note that translations from English into Irish and from Irish into English are ineligible for ILE grant aid

What is the level of grant aid?

ILE offers successful applicants a substantial contribution towards the translator's fees.

How do I apply?

Prepare your submission using the translation-grant application checklist provided [PDF] [DOC].

When should I apply?

Applicants are advised to submit their applications at least three months before publication of the translation.

The remaining deadline for receipt of applications in 2007 is 31 October.

The application deadlines for 2008 are: 16 January, 22 February, 30 April, 25 July, 31 October.

How are applications assessed?

Once the sample translation has been assessed by an expert, the application is considered by the board of ILE, which meets five times per annum. If an award is approved, a letter of confirmation and a contract will be posted to the applicant shortly after the board meeting. Applicants will always be informed of the board’s decision within a maximum of 6 weeks of the deadline.

Who receives payment?

The publisher of the translation, once ILE has received proof of payment to the translator and 6 copies of the finished work which must contain an acknowledgement of ILE's funding.

 
 

The ILE Residential Bursary Programme for Literary Translators

ILE runs an annual programme of residential bursaries for professional translators working on publisher-commissioned translations of works of Irish literature. The purpose of the bursaries is to enable translators to spend a period of up to 4 weeks in Ireland working on a translation, meeting with authors, carrying out research in Irish libraries and generally immersing themselves in the cultural, linguistic and artistic environment of contemporary Irish literature.

Following an annual call for applications from a specific geographic or linguistic territory which is of strategic interest to ILE, applications are assessed and awarded on a competitive basis.

In 2006, bursaries were awarded to seven translators from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia and the Czech Republic. The nature of the works being translated also varied widely, covering both prose and short stories by John McGahern, Brian Friel’s plays, novels by John Banville and Colm Tóibín, and an anthology of Irish poetry. In 2005 these awards were received by four literary translators from Brazil and Argentina who worked on a wide range of translations of Irish writing including poetry by Peter Sirr, Louis MacNeice, Pádraig Daly, Seán Ó Riordáin and an anthology of poetry of conflict by Northern Irish poets. 

Read interviews with previous recipients of ILE bursaries

Second Call for Translator Bursary Applications 2007

Ireland Literature Exchange/Idirmhalartán Litríocht Éireann (ILE) invites applications from literary translators from China, Bulgaria and Romania who are working on the translation of a work of contemporary Irish literature and wish to spend a period of up to four consecutive weeks in Ireland during the period November 2007 to April 2008. For further information, please click on the link below:

Download word doc

Call for Translator Bursary Applications 2007

Ireland Literature Exchange/Idirmhalartán Litríocht Éireann (ILE) invites applications from literary translators from Spain, Argentina, Russia and Eastern Europe (excluding Romania and Bulgaria*) who wish to spend a period of up to four consecutive weeks in Ireland in 2007, working on the translation of a work of modern Irish literature. For further information, please click on the link below:

Download word doc

* These territories will receive special attention this year -  a call for bursaries will be sent out to these specific territories in the latter half of 2007.

Call for Translator Bursary Applications 2006

Ireland Literature Exchange/Idirmhalartán Litríocht Éireann (ILE) invites applications from literary translators from Brazil and Argentina who wish to spend a period of up to four consecutive weeks in Ireland during November 2006 – April 2007, working on the translation of a work of modern Irish literature.

Download word doc
 
 

New Writing from Ireland

New Writing from Ireland is published once a year by ILE to offer international publishers and other interested parties a snapshot of the latest Irish writing for which translation rights are available. This catalogue may also be downloaded in PDF format. 2007 catalogue - 2006 catalogue - 2005 catalogue - 2004 catalogue
 
 

Book Fairs

ILE attends the London and Frankfurt book fairs each year, as well as a number of other bookfairs. Please contact us in advance to schedule a meeting.

 
 

Author and Translator Events

ILE runs a limited number of international author and translator events. For further information in relation to this programme, please contact us at info@irelandliterature.com

We welcome grant applications, general enquiries and feedback about our programmes. If you would like more information about ILE or have any queries about how to apply for a grant, please contact us (details below) or visit us at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Sinéad Mac Aodha
Director

Ireland Literature Exchange.

sponsors

Legal Note Ireland Literature Exchange, 25 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)1 678 8961 / 662 5687 Fax: +353 (0)1 662 5687 Email: info@irelandliterature.com