To celebrate Ireland hosting the Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, Literature Ireland is hosting a three-day conference celebrating Irish literature's European literary translators. Focusing on translators of contemporary Irish writing, the conference will gather translators working in all 24 languages of the European Union (plus Ukrainian), giving them the opportunity to discuss Irish writing, its unique characteristics and its place within the literatures of the EU.
The conference will be held in the Dún Laoghaire LexIcon Library in south Dublin, as well as cultural venues around Dublin city centre. The programme will include both panel discussions and “in conversation” events alike, with appearances from some of Ireland's foremost contemporary writers.
Topics covered will include the difficulties of translating Hiberno-English, the importance of Irish-language publishing, and the place and popularity of Irish literature in translation in the EU. The translators will also share best practice principles regarding linguistic and editorial diversity, and discuss the various challenges (both technological and political) they currently face in their work.
Attendance at the conference is by invitation only. Some key discussions will be shared online. Further details will follow.