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| Formation | 1925 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Irish Government |
| Type | |
| Headquarters | 63-66 Sráid Amiens, Baile Átha Cliath 1, Éire |
| Website | forasnagaeilge.ie |
An Gúm (pronounced[ənˠˈɡuːmˠ], "The Scheme") was an Irish state company tasked with the publication ofIrish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part ofForas na Gaeilge.[1] Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."[1] It is the largest publisher of books in Irish in the country.[citation needed] As of 2010, Seosamh Ó Murchú was the senior editor.[citation needed][needs update]
An Gúm was founded in 1925[2] as part of theDepartment of Education[3] byErnest Blythe, thenMinister for Finance in theIrish Free State.Its purpose was to ensure a supply of textbooks and general books which would be required to implement the policy of reviving theIrish language. Many of the early publications were translations of famous and contemporary English-language books,[4] such asDracula.[5] There were some translations of other European authors,[6] and, of course, Irish authors who wrote in English.[7]The agency provided financial support for native Irish-language writers and published original writing in Irish by authors such asMáirtín Ó Cadhain,Seosamh Mac Grianna andTomás Ó Criomhthain. An Gúm regularly publishes new editions of many books written and published in the 1920s and 1930s.An Gúm remained part of the Department of Education until 1999 when, with theBelfast 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.[1]
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 includingRhoda Coghill,Aloys Fleischmann, Redmond Friel,Carl Hardebeck,John F. Larchet and Éamon Ó Gallchobhair.
An Gúm was based onO'Connell Street, Dublin, for much of the 20th century, before moving to premises in a building onNorth Frederick Street, shared with the National Educational Psychological Service, among others. Irish is the working language of the office, which is laid out over two floors. The office incorporates a library of past publications.
The most famous[original research?] book published by An Gúm is theFoclóir Póca ("pocket dictionary"). Other dictionaries have also been published byAn Gúm, including those byNiall Ó Dónaill (Irish-English Dictionary) andTomás de Bhaldraithe.[citation needed]
As well as publication and re-publication of fiction and textbooks in Irish, including the editorial work involved, An Gúm has also been involved in several larger projects. These include:[citation needed]
An Gúm is working on a project to develop a New English-Irish Dictionary.[8] 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]
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".[9] The syllabus is specifically, but not exclusively, designed for use inGaeltacht schools andgaelscoileanna, 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]
The word "gúm" means "plan", "scheme" or "project". The agency was also known, in its early days, asAn Scéim Foillsiúcháin (the publication scheme).[2]
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