Mòrag.Anna NicNèill author page

Mòrag Anna NicNèill biography

Mòrag Anna NicNèill, also known as Morag Ann MacNeil, is a Scottish Gaelic author, poet and translator. She studied English Literature and Celtic Studies at the University of Glasgow and taught Gaelic for 26 years before receiving a New Writers Award from Scottish Book Trust and the Gaelic Books Council in 2015.

Her children’s novels include Granaidh Afraga, which was shortlisted for the Donald Meek Award in 2016, and Èiginn Ùisdein, shortlisted for the same award in 2017 and awarded third prize. In 2018, her children’s book Artair sa Chaisteal won the Chrisella Ross Memorial Prize for children’s fiction. Her writing also includes short stories, drama and poetry.

NicNèill has translated a number of children’s books into Scottish Gaelic. Her translation of L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, published as Anna Ruadh by Bradan Press, was shortlisted for Best Book for Children/Young People at the Gaelic Literature Awards in 2021. She also translated Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess as Bana-phrionnsa a’ Phoca Phàipeir, illustrated by Michael Martchenko.

Her translations of Tove Jansson’s Moomin books include Na Moomins agus an Tuil Mhòr and Moomintroll Teaghlaich Fhinn for Selkies House. Na Moomins agus an Tuil Mhòr, a translation of The Moomins and the Great Flood, marked the first publication of one of Jansson’s works in Scottish Gaelic.