Ùr-sgeul
Encyclopedia
Ùr-sgeul is an independent publisher of new Scottish Gaelic prose. The name Ùr-sgeul is a Gaelic word which translates variously as: a romance, a novel or a recent tale.
. In its short history, Ùr-sgeul has been prolific, and has contributed significantly to the recent resurgence of the Gaelic novel
.
Ùr-sgeul's most critically successful title to date was the epic novel, An Oidhche Mus Do Sheòl Sinn, by Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul. Heavily influenced in both structure and theme by the works of Leo Tolstoy
, An Oidhche Mus Do Sheòl Sinn was short-listed for the Saltire Book of the Year Award in 2004.
In 2008, Ùr-sgeul was featured on the half-hour Gaelic arts program on BBC2, Ealtainn. In 2008, Ùr-sgeul also branched into avant-garde
music publishing and released a CD mixing Gaelic prose and modern Gaelic music by the rock band, Na Gathan
. That same year, Ùr-sgeul approached Bòrd na Gàidhlig
for support to expand its activities, including provision of a full-time editor. The approach was not supported.
In 2009, Ùr-Sgeul published the first ever German-Gaelic fiction publication Der Schadel von Damien Hirst, launched at the FilmAlba festival in Bonn, Germany.
In 2010, Finlay MacLeod was presented with the first ever annual Donald Meek Literary Award, at a ceremony at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
for his Ùr-Sgeul title, Gormshuil an Righ, his first ever Gaelic novel for adults.
History
Ùr-sgeul was founded in 2003 as a project to promote new Gaelic fiction. The project was conceived under the auspices of the Gaelic Books Council and with a start-up grant of £50K from the Scottish Arts CouncilScottish Arts Council
The Scottish Arts Council is a Scottish public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government, and is the leading national organisation for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland...
. In its short history, Ùr-sgeul has been prolific, and has contributed significantly to the recent resurgence of the Gaelic novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
.
Ùr-sgeul's most critically successful title to date was the epic novel, An Oidhche Mus Do Sheòl Sinn, by Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul. Heavily influenced in both structure and theme by the works of Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
, An Oidhche Mus Do Sheòl Sinn was short-listed for the Saltire Book of the Year Award in 2004.
In 2008, Ùr-sgeul was featured on the half-hour Gaelic arts program on BBC2, Ealtainn. In 2008, Ùr-sgeul also branched into avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
music publishing and released a CD mixing Gaelic prose and modern Gaelic music by the rock band, Na Gathan
Na Gathan
- History :Na Gathan were formed in 2007 and first came to national attention in Scotland when they appeared in a piece on the Rapal music program on BBC2 that documented their involvement in organizing the Celtic Connections unofficial fringe held in Glasgow early in 2008...
. That same year, Ùr-sgeul approached Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is a quango appointed by the Scottish Government with responsibility for Scottish Gaelic...
for support to expand its activities, including provision of a full-time editor. The approach was not supported.
In 2009, Ùr-Sgeul published the first ever German-Gaelic fiction publication Der Schadel von Damien Hirst, launched at the FilmAlba festival in Bonn, Germany.
In 2010, Finlay MacLeod was presented with the first ever annual Donald Meek Literary Award, at a ceremony at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival, is a book festival that takes place in the last three weeks of August every year in Charlotte Square, in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital...
for his Ùr-Sgeul title, Gormshuil an Righ, his first ever Gaelic novel for adults.
Books
- Saorsa short story collection edited by Joan NicDhòmhnaill and John Storey, 2011
- Cuid a' Chorra-Ghrithich by Alasdair Caimbeul (Alasdair a' Bhocsair), 2011
- Suthainn Sior by Norma NicLeoid, 2011
- An Druim Bho Thuath by Tormod Caimbeul, 2011
- Impireachd by Iain F. MacLeoid, 2010
- Teas by Maoilios Caimbeul, 2010
- Gormshuil an Righ by Fionnlagh MacLeoid, 2010
- A' Ghlainne agus Sgeulachdan Eile by Mairi E. NicLeoid, 2010
- Der Schadel von Damien Hirst edited by Michael Klevenhaus and Joan NicDhomhnaill, 2009
- Cainnt na Caileige Caillte by Alison Lang, 2009
- Tilleadh Dhachaigh by Aonghas Padraig Caimbeul, 2009
- Samhraidhean Diomhair by Catriona Lexy Chaimbeul, 2009
- An Claigeann aig Damien Hirst Vol 3 (paper) - Stories 15-21, 2008
- An Claigeann aig Damien Hirst Vol 2 (paper) - Stories 8-14, 2008
- An Claigeann aig Damien Hirst Vol 1 (paper) - Stories 1-7, 2008
- Taingeil Toilichte by Norma NicLeòid, 2008
- Am Bounty by Iain F. MacLeoid, 2008
- An Latha as Fhaide by Martainn Mac an t-Saoir, 2008
- Diomhanas by Fionnlagh MacLeoid, 2008
- Cleas Sgathain by Mairi Anna NicDhomhnaill, 2008
- Slaightearan by Tormod MacGill-EainTormod MacGill-EainNorman Hector Mackinnon Maclean is a Scottish Gaelic comedian, novelist, poet, musician and broadcaster. He is the only person to have won both Bardic Crown and Gold Medal at the same Royal National Mod...
, 2008 - An Taigh-Samhraidh by Aonghas Padraig Caimbeul, 2007
- Malairt Sgeil by Donnchadh MacGillIosa agus Martainn Mac an t-Saoir, 2007
- Shrapnel by Tormod Caimbeul – Tormod a’ Bhocsair, 2006
- Ùpraid by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (translation from Irish), 2006
- Dìleas Donn by Norma NicLeòid, 2006
- Gymnippers Diciadain by Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir, 2005
- Na Klondykers by Iain F. MacLeòid, 2005
- Am Miseanaraidh by Iain Mac a’ Ghobhainn, 2005
- Dacha Mo Ghaoil by Tormod MacGill-EainTormod MacGill-EainNorman Hector Mackinnon Maclean is a Scottish Gaelic comedian, novelist, poet, musician and broadcaster. He is the only person to have won both Bardic Crown and Gold Medal at the same Royal National Mod...
, 2005 - Là a’ Dèanamh Sgèil Do Là by Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul, 2004
- Tocasaid ‘Ain Tuirc by Donnchadh MacGIlliosa, 2004
- An Oidhche Mus Do Sheòl Sinn by Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul, 2003
- Ath-Aithne by Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir, 2003
Talking Books
- Shrapnel by Tormod Caimbeul – 4 CD set, 2007
- Gymnippers Diciadain by Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir – DVD, 2007
- Na Klondykers by Iain F. MacLeòid – DVD, 2007
- Là a’ Dèanamh Sgèil Do Là by Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul – DVD, 2007
- Am Miseanaraidh by Iain Mac a’ Ghobhainn – 2 CD set, 2005
- Dacha Mo Ghaoil by Tormod MacGill-Eain – 3 CD set, 2005
- Tocasaid ‘Ain Tuirc by Donnchadh MacGIlliosa. – 3 CD set, 2005
- Ath-Aithne by Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir – 6 CD set, 2004
Other publications
- Claigeann Damien Hirst by Na Gathan - CD, 2008
- Ruigidh Sinn Mars by Na Gathan - CD, 2008