This is one of the most important Irish books of the year

Author Sadhbh Devlin recently spoke to Her.ie about the importance of appreciating our language and helping revive it in whatever way we can. Her book An Fia sa Choill was the only Irish language book nominated in the Specsavers Children's Book of the Year (Junior) category at this year's An Post Irish Book Awards.

Speaking about writing in a marginalised language, Sadhbh said:

"You don't go into writing in a marginalised language for the fame and the glory. You do it for the grá of the teanga, and I've always had it. I love that people are starting to take ownership of the language again."

"I think when we're witnessing in other countries, like in Gaza, and we see colonization in action, it makes us reflect as a nation on ourselves, on our own country, and on what our own country's been through. And we think, "Oh, actually, we look at the things taken away from us. How can we get that back, and how can we take ownership again?"

I want to read in Irish, but where should I start?

Sadhbh suggests starting with children's books, especially one like An Fia sa Choill.

"Start with the kind of level books that I write, like start with picture books, because the pictures are there to help you."

Sadhbh urged readers to use online resources when reading so they can learn how certain words are pronounced or discover their meaning. There's no shame in seeking extra support because so many of us are trying to learn this language for the first time since we were children.

An Fia sa Choill follows Fionn Mac Cumhaill, who discovers a deer in the woods and brings her back to the safety of his fort. His band of warriors is astounded when the deer transforms into a beautiful young woman called Sadhbh. Sadhbh settles quickly into life at the fort, but a shroud of mystery surrounds her. Who is the wicked old man who cast the spell that changed Sadhbh into a speechless deer? And could he do it again?

Readers of all ages will adore this age-old story, retold by Sadhbh Devlin and illustrated by Anastasia Melnykova.

Buy it here.