This year marks the 25th anniversary of the RTÉ Radio 1 Short Story Competition, which over the years has proved to be the launching pad for many renowned Irish writers.

The competition, which was founded to commemorate the writer and broadcaster, Francis Mac Manus, has been a source of encouragement and inspiration to thousands of emerging writers over the years and continues to offer a platform for the best of new Irish writing.

Past Programmes | 2008 Winners

To celebrate the beginning of the competitions 25th year RTE Radio 1 broadcast a selection of five shortlisted stories from last year’s competition, read by some of Ireland’s finest actors

“Home Help”” by Dolores Walshe read by Angela Harding.

Sugar is Florrie’s home help who brings a touch of the exotic African continent to the mundane life of her employer. Sometimes Florrie thinks Sugar was sent to try her – and not just because of her poor English and ability to confuse and confound the old woman. After all, thinks Sugar, anyone could mistake the word “lemon” for “apple!”

Dolores Walshe won 2nd prize in the 2009 Francis Mac Manus Short Story Competition with this bitter sweet story about a clash of cultures and personalities. Her collection of short stories “When the Tree Weeps” showed a versatile writer with a strong sense of character and dialogue and with a wicked eye and ear for human foibles and frailties. Her play “A Country In Our Heads” was produced in Andrew’s Lane Theatre in Dublin and “In the Talking Dark” got an acclaimed production at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. We eagerly await the publication of her new novel “Fragile Are We.”

Winners of RTÉ Radio 1 Short Story Competition 2008

RTÉ Radio 1 announced the winners of the RTÉ Radio 1 Short Story Competition in memory of Francis Mac Manus.

First Prize: "Hay" by Ciarán Folan, An Spideál, Co. na Gaillimhe read by Enda Oates

Ciaran was born in Newtowncashel, Co. Longford then later moved to An Spideal, Co Galway. Ciaran studied Science at University College Galway and currently teaches in Dublin. His first stories were published in New Irish Writing in The Irish Press and he went on to win The Francis Mac Manus Award in 1987. Ciaran was awarded an Arts Council Bursary in 2004 and further bursaries from Dublin City Council and Galway Arts Council. His collection of short stories "Freak Nights" was published in 1996. Read more...

Useful Links

Ask About Writing - www.askaboutwriting.net
A web resource site for writers of all abilities.

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