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 over 1,200 works of Irish literature into 46 languages around the
world.
International publishers who are seeking support for translations
into foreign languages; Irish publishers seeking support for translations
from foreign languages into English or Irish.
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
ILE offers successful applicants a substantial contribution towards
the translator's fees.
Prepare your submission using the translation-grant application
checklist provided [PDF] [DOC].
Applicants are advised to submit their applications at least three months before publication of the translation.
The application deadlines for 2010 are:
22 January, 12 March, 30 April, 23 July, 29 October.
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.
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.
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.
Eight bursaries were awarded in 2008 with works by Enda Walsh, Sebastian
Barry, Thomas Kinsella, William Trevor and Hugo Hamilton being translated,
as well as a collection of short stories by Frank O’Connor and an
anthology of contemporary Irish drama. Recipients of the awards travelled
from Bulgaria, China, Portugal and Romania.
Previous Translator Bursary awards
Read
interviews with
previous recipients of ILE bursaries.
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.
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.
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.
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