A recent arrival on the Irish publishing scene, Bullaun Press has chosen literature in translation as its focus. It is the first such press of this kind in Ireland. We aspire to open up a space for readers seeking new and different voices.
Founder Bridget Farrell’s background in independent publishing and languages inspired her to set up Bullaun in 2021. She wants to see the press become an advocate for translators, especially Irish and Irish-based ones. Bullaun is open to approaches from translators looking for a home for a text that they are passionate about.
Translators will also be commissioned to work on recent books that could strike a chord with an Irish audience and beyond. As well as an enriching our reading experiences, it’s an important gesture of recognition of the cultural heritage of some of the many different language-speakers living in Ireland. We’d love to hear from you about compelling books that have not yet been translated into English.
Our first title in April 2022 was I Am Lewy, Mícheál Ó hAodha’s lively rendition of Eoghan Ó Tuairisc’s An Lomnochtán (1977) – opening up this wonderful text to a new audience. The second, in October 2023, was Without Waking Up, Deirdre McMahon’s translation of Austrian author Carolina Schutti’s 2012 novel – already translated into at least 16 other languages – Einmal muss ich über weiches Gras gelaufen sein.
The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon funding underpins the work of Bullaun Press, for which we are hugely grateful.
The name ‘Bullaun’ comes from the Irish word for a stone with a manmade hollow that holds water at its centre. Many bullauns around the country are traditionally associated with magical, healing or holy properties.