An Gúm
An Gúm is an Irish publisher.
Tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials, it was previously a state company of the Republic of Ireland. It now has an all-Ireland identity as part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."
Edel Ní Chorráin is Director of Publishing, Lexicography & Terminology Services.
History
An Gúm was founded in 1925 as part of the Department of Education by Ernest Blythe, then Minister for Finance in the Irish Free State.Its purpose was to ensure a supply of textbooks and general books which would be required to implement the policy of reviving the Irish language.
The agency provided financial support for native Irish-language writers and published original writing in Irish by authors such as Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Seosamh Mac Grianna and Tomás Ó Criomhthain. An Gúm regularly publishes new editions of many books written and published in the 1920s and 1930s.
Translations
Many of the early publications were translations. At the time there was some criticism of Ernest Blythe regarding the choice of titles to be translated and from 1940 on, less and less translation of literary works was undertaken. There were some translations from European languages other than English, for example short stories by Chekhov and plays by the Spanish author María de la O Lejárraga.Lejárraga, who often referenced Roman Catholic viewpoints, was seen as reflecting values shared by many Irish speakers. Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe performed her work in the west of Ireland.
Translations of English-language books by American, British and Irish authors were more common, including well known titles such as Dracula and Wuthering Heights.
Art work
The Burns Library at Boston College has a collection of original dust jackets in good condition.Music
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 including Rhoda Coghill, Aloys Fleischmann, Redmond Friel, Carl Hardebeck, John F. Larchet and Éamon Ó Gallchobhair.Belfast Agreement
An Gúm remained part of the Department of Education until 1999 when, with the Belfast Agreement, its functions were moved under the cross-border body, Foras na Gaeilge, responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland.Foras na Gaeilge has a statutory obligation in respect of the publication of Irish language materials for education.
Offices
Historic offices
An Gúm was based on O'Connell Street, Dublin, for much of the 20th century, before moving to premises in a building on North Frederick Street, shared with the National Educational Psychological Service, among others.Irish was the working language of the office which incorporated a library of past publications.
Foras na Gaeilge
The head office of Foras na Gaeilge is at 63-66 Amiens Street, Dublin 1. It opened in 2018. There are offices at other places including Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal.Projects
The word "gúm" means "plan", "scheme" or "project". The agency was also known, in its early days, as An Scéim Foillsiúcháin.As well as publication and re-publication of books in Irish, including the editorial work involved, An Gúm has also been involved in several larger projects. These include: