Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach

Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach is a science fiction novel written in Scottish Gaelic by Tim Armstrong and published by CLÀR in 2013.[1] Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach is the first hard science-fiction novel in Gaelic written for adults.[2] The story combines elements of space opera, dark cyberpunk, romance and rock-band road-trip adventure. The central conceit of the novel is that in space, everyone speaks Gaelic, allowing the author to create an entirely Gaelic-speaking world for the characters.[3][4]

Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach
AuthorTim Armstrong
Cover artistHeather Brennan
Freight Design
CountryScotland
LanguageScottish Gaelic
GenreScience Fiction
PublisherCLÀR
Publication date
2013
Media typePrint Paperback
Pages223 pp
ISBN978-1-900901-74-1
Followed byAn Luingeas Dorcha air Fàire 

Launch

Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach was launched at a series of events in three separate locations: at the Aye Write book festival in Glasgow with Aonghas 'Dubh' MacNeacail presiding; at two punk rock gigs on the same day in Edinburgh; and at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye at an event also marking the launch of Meg Bateman's new book of poetry, Transparencies. The book was launched in Edinburgh through a collaboration between CLÀR and anarcho-punk band Oi Polloi at two all-Scottish-Gaelic gig events on Saturday 27 April 2013, at Elvis Shakespeare on Leith Walk and on The Cruz Boat at the Shore in Leith.[5] The (now legendary amongst the Leith community) Leith Walk gig took place while Hibernian F.C. played out a 3–3 draw against St. Mirren F.C., inadvertently diverting police resources at a crucial time and allowing the anarcho-punk, Oi!, punk rock, street celebration to continue uninhibited, proving a significant landmark in Gaelic culture.[6]

Reception

The reaction to the novel has been largely positive. Aonghas 'Dubh' MacNeacail has described the novel as a "great step forward on many levels" for Gaelic fiction[2] and Ruairidh MacIlleathain described the novel as a strong story and "a milestone in Gaelic literature".[7] Moray Watson, reviewing in Northwords Now, while critical of some aspects of the plot, was generally positive, calling it an "impressive debut",[8] and Raghnall MacIlleDhuibh (Ronald Black), reviewing in the Scotsman newspaper, wrote that he would include Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach "among the best half-dozen Gaelic novels ever published."[9] In 2016, Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach was selected by Scot Lit Fest as one of the five most important Gaelic novels of all time.[10]

Saltire Society Literary Awards 2013

In October 2013, Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach was shortlisted for the Saltire Society 2013 First Book of the Year Award, along with work from Malcolm MacKay (Mantle), Eunice Buchanan (Kettillonia), Vicky Jarrett (Linen Press) and Kellan MacInnes (Luath Press).[11][12] Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach went on to win the award, along with As Far as I Can See by Eunice Buchanan.[13]

Translation

An Irish-language translation was published by Leabhar Breac in 2020. Tinte na Farraige Duibhe was translated by Eoin P. Ó Murchú.

Notes
  1. MacIlleathain, Ruairidh (2013). "Lèirmheas: Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach". Cothrom. 76: 44–45.
  2. Presenter: Mark Wringe (7 June 2013). Leugh an Leabhair. 24:00 minutes in. BBC. BBC Radio nan Gaidheal.
  3. Cockburn, Paul. "We're talking to Tim Armstrong, author of Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach". Arcfinity. ARC magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  4. Robinson, David (17 May 2014). "How to run a local, interplanetary book festival". Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  5. Armstrong, Tim (April 2013). "Bogadh Punc ann an Dun Eideann". DRILSEACH. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  6. McLauchlin, Brian (27 April 2013). "Hibernian 3-3 St Mirren". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  7. MacIlleathain, Ruairidh (2013). "Lèirmheas: Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach". Cothrom. 76: 44–45.
  8. Watson, Moray (2013). Northwords Now (25): 22.CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  9. MacIlleDhuibh, Raghnall (7 December 2013). "...no suidhe an tac' an teine a' leughadh leabhar math Gàidhlig?". The Scotsman.
  10. "Cò na 5 Nobhailean Gàidhlig as Cudromaiche?". Scot Lit Fest (in Scottish Gaelic). 7 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  11. E.C.T. Storey (October 2013). "Saltire Society 2013 Literary Awards – Gaelic fiction shortlisted". CLAR. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  12. Stornoway Gazette. "2013 Literary Awards for Lewis Authors". Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  13. Brian Ferguson (November 2013). "Scotsman Gaelic science fiction wins literary prize". The Scotsman. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
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