WORK BY QUEEN’S ACADEMICS NOMINATED FOR BEST IRISH PUBLISHED BOOK OF 2019  

28 October 2019

A History of Ireland in 100 Words – the result of research into early Irish led by Queen’s academic Professor Greg Toner – has been shortlisted for the Best Irish-published Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards 2019.

The book was among 93 shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2019 across 16 literary genres, which include Novel of the Year, Children’s, Cookery, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Nonfiction, Sports, Short Story, Poetry, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.

The An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible.

A History of Ireland in 100 Words, published in paperback on 1 October, examines 100 key medieval words drawn from the Royal Irish Academy’s Dictionary of the Irish Language, the most comprehensive dictionary of Irish in existence.

Capturing aspects of Ireland’s changing history by examining the changing meaning of these 100 words is aimed at a general readership, and no prior knowledge of the Irish language is required to delve into the fascinating insights the book provides.

It is divided into themes, including writing and literature; food and feasting; technology and science; mind and body. Readers can explore words relating to particular concepts, dipping in and out where they please.

Among the insights the book provides is that the Irish harp as we know it does not appear until the fourteenth century and that dancing seems to have been unknown before the sixteenth century.

The book also reveals curiosities such as that 'cluas', the modern Irish word for 'ear', also means the handle of a cup and that the Old Irish word for 'ring' may have inspired Tolkien's 'nazg'.

Greg Toner, who has been Professor of Irish in the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen’s since 2011, is a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council Peer Review College. He serves on the editorial committee of the Royal Irish Academy’s Foclóir na Nua-Ghaeilge and is Honorary Editor of the Irish Texts Society.

Speaking about the nomination Professor Toner said: “It’s a great honour and recognition for the research that has gone into the book. Of course the main aim of the research is to shed light on life in medieval Ireland by looking at the past from a different angle – the very words that people used.’’

Maria Dickenson, Chairperson of the Awards, said: “This year’s shortlist is once again a terrific testament to the breadth and depth of Irish writing talent.

"The Irish Book Awards are proud to celebrate the diversity of Ireland’s rich literary culture, and the achievements of all that contribute to this success – including writers, readers, publishers, booksellers and librarians.

“It’s fantastic to see the continued growth of the Irish Book Awards, which reflects the deep love Irish people have for reading and literature, and it’s one of the major highlights of the literary calendar.

“Each and every category is packed with deserving authors, and we’re looking forward to announcing the winners on 20th November.”

A History of Ireland in 100 Words is written by Sharon Arbuthnot, a Senior Researcher at Queen’s; Máire Ní Mhaonaigh, Professor of Celtic and Medieval Studies at the University of Cambridge and Gregory Toner, Professor of Irish at Queen’s and is illustrated by Joe McLaren is a freelance illustrator and graduate of the University of Brighton.

For more information on the Irish Book Awards and to vote for your favourite book visit https://www.irishbookawards.irish/vote2019/. 

All voters will be entered into a draw to win one of four €100 National Book Tokens vouchers. Votes may be cast until 13 November and the winners will be announced at the gala ceremony in the Convention Centre Dublin, Spencer Dock, on Wednesday 20 November. 

For general enquiries about this story, or to submit news items about Queen’s graduates, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.

Credit (main image): Royal Irish Academy

 

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