Laureate na nÓg

Laureate na nÓg is a position awarded in Ireland once every two years to a distinguished writer or illustrator of children's books. It was set up by the Arts Council of Ireland in 2010. It is intended "to engage young people with high quality children's literature and to underline the importance of children's literature in our cultural and imaginative life".^[1]

Siobhán Parkinson was the first Laureate. As of 2020, Áine Ní Ghlinn is the incumbent Laureate na nÓg.

History

Siobhán Parkinson, described by The Irish Times as "one of Ireland's foremost children's writers",^[2] was announced as the first holder of the post on 10 May 2010. President of Ireland Mary McAleese revealed the news at an event held at the Irish Arts Council in Dublin and presented Parkinson with the silver Laureate na nÓg medal.^[3][4]

Parkinson announced one of her main aims was that "every child in the country has access to a nice, bright, warm, cheerful, comfortable library, where they can go and find the books that will open their minds and bring them into wonderful imaginary places".^[5] One of Parkinson's first requests was an appeal to the Government of Ireland for the restoration of school library system funding which it had removed due to cuts.^[6]

List of position holders

Years	Author
2010–2012	Siobhán Parkinson
2012–2014	Niamh Sharkey[7]
2014–2016	Eoin Colfer[8]
2016–2018	P. J. Lynch[9]
2018–2020	Sarah Crossan[10]
2020-2022	Áine Ní Ghlinn[11]

See also

• Children's Laureate

References

1. "Puffin author crowned Irish children's laureate". The Bookseller. Nielsen Company. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
2. Wyley, Enda (11 May 2010). "A champion for children's literature". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
3. Black, Fergus (11 May 2010). "A turn-up for the books as children's laureate unveiled". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
4. "Parkinson named children's laureate". Press Association. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.^{[dead link‍]}
5. Flood, Alison (11 May 2010). "Ireland names Siobhán Parkinson first children's laureate". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
6. "Laureate appeals over library funds". Press Association. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.^{[dead link‍]}
7. "Niamh Sharkey (2012-2014)". Children's Book Ireland. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
8. "Eoin Colfer (2014-2016)". Children's Book Ireland. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
9. "PJ Lynch". Children's Book Ireland. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
10. "Introducing Laureate na nÓg, Sarah Crossan". Arts Council of Ireland. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
11. Ní Ghlinn, Áine (14 May 2020). "I want children to know that reading as Gaeilge isn't just obair bhaile". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 May 2020.

External links

• Official website