HISTORY
The concept of Trinity’s Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation was launched in April 2013 by poet Seamus Heaney. After an intensive period of fundraising, a semi-derelict Georgian building belonging to Trinity College was restored and refurbished, and by April 2018 the Centre at 36 Fenian Street, Dublin 2 was officially opened.
The building is now home to TCLCT staff and to the offices of Literature Ireland – the national organisation for the international promotion of Irish literature. Our award-winning MPhil in Literary Translation Studies is taught at the Centre, and we also house a growing number of PhD candidates and post-doc researchers, as well as visiting translators.
DESCRIPTION AND MISSION
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation is part of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies at Trinity College Dublin. We are based in a beautiful Georgian building in the heart of Dublin city centre.
Our mission is to develop, promote and support literary translation in Ireland. We support three main areas of activity:
- education and outreach
- publications
- community building
ACTIVITIES
We host many events throughout the year:
- book launches
- literary readings
- a monthly book club
- research seminars
- public lectures
- seminars, workshops and conferences
- translation slams
- student-led events
- meetings with writers and translators
For more information about our upcoming events, click here.
PROGRAMMES
We run residential bursaries for professional translators working on publisher-commissioned translations of works of Irish literature. The purpose of the bursaries is to enable translators to spend a period of time in Ireland working on a translation, meeting with authors, carrying out research in Irish libraries and generally immersing themselves in the cultural, linguistic and artistic environment of contemporary Ireland.
At present, we run two programmes and we are actively developing partnerships with other countries.
- Residential translation bursaries with Literature Ireland
In partnership with Literature Ireland, we host an annual residential bursary for a literary translator in Dublin. Travel and living expenses are covered by Literature Ireland, while accommodation and a dedicated work space are provided by Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation. Since 2010, we have hosted translators from Russia, China, Brazil, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, Japan and Germany on this programme. In 2020 two residential bursaries were awarded for German-language translators of eight weeks’ duration each.
- French Visiting Translator Fellowship
In 2020, together with the French Embassy in Ireland and Alliance Française Dublin, we celebrated the launch of a new French Visiting Translator Fellowship. The purpose of this fellowship is to bring translators to Ireland who are translating Irish literature into French. Travel, accommodation and living expenses are provided, as well as a dedicated work space at Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation. This residency is eight weeks long and will run once per annum.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Residencies are awarded to a practicing literary translator of established track record who is working on a translation of a work of contemporary Irish literature. Applicants for both bursaries must provide proof that they hold a publishing contract for the work in question. Successful applicants are asked to work with students on our MPhil in Literary Translation and to take part in a public event near the end of their stay, focusing on their translation work. Residencies are announced through open calls for proposals.
For more information, please email littrans@tcd.ie or subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
FACILITIES
Self-contained accommodation comprises a single bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen/living area. Basic cooking utensils and bed linen are provided. Accommodation is at one of two locations, depending on availability: either a short walk from the Centre, or a short bus ride from the city centre.
LEGAL STATUS
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation is part of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies at Trinity College Dublin.
STAFF
Director: Prof. Michael Cronin
Office and Operations Manager: Eithne Bowen
FINANCIAL SOURCES
Residencies are funded by donations and sponsorships.
ADDRESS & CONTACT
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Tel: + 353 1 896 3227
www.tcd.ie/literary-translation
Email: littrans@tcd.ie
