The Third Day, by Kevin Donnellan, a writer and journalist from Kilbride, Co. Meath, now based in England, has won this year's RTÉ Short Story Competition in honour of Francis MacManus.
The winning story was announced this evening on RTÉ Radio 1’s Arena, as part of a special programme dedicated to this year’s RTÉ Short Story Competition and the 10 shortlisted stories and their authors.
Mamó, by Sara Keating, 2020-21 DLR Writer in Residence, and Windsea, by Dónal Minihane, a hotelier from Doolin, Co. Clare, were awarded joint runners-up prizes by judges, writers Lisa McInerney, Lucy Caldwell and Declan Hughes.
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Listen to the RTÉ Arena RTÉ Short Story Competition special
As the winning story, The Third Day will be read on air by Éanna Hardwicke at 11.20pm tonight on RTÉ Radio 1's Late Date as part of a season of new writing on RTÉ - you can read the story here.
The remaining shortlisted short stories will then be broadcast in the same slot, weeknights at 11.20pm, from Tuesday 28 September to Friday 8 October inclusive.
"There's so much to admire here," says Lisa McInerney of the winning story, "not least the author’s grasp on rhythm, tension and truth, which are things that are very hard to teach. But what strikes me hardest about The Third Day is how recognisable our protagonist is; I was so affected by his vulnerability, his self-delusion, his bitterness, delivered by Eanna Hardwicke’s painful, poignant performance."
As the winning story, The Third Day will be read on air by Éanna Hardwicke at 11.20pm tonight on RTÉ Radio 1’s Late Date as part of a season of new writing on RTÉ. The remaining shortlisted short stories will then be broadcast in the same slot, weeknights at 11.20pm, from Tuesday 28 September to Friday 8 October inclusive.
Mamó will be read on air by Ingrid Craigie tomorrow night (Tuesday 28 September), while Windsea will be read on air by Aaron Monaghan on Wednesday night (29 September).
All ten shortlisted short stories are currently available to read on RTÉ Culture, will also be available as podcasts in the coming weeks.
on RTÉ Radio 1's Late Date
Commenting on this year's shortlist, judge Declan Hughes says the stories "paint a picture of an anxious, unsettled country, but do so with wit and compassion, imaginative storytelling and nuanced characterisation."
Set up in 1986 to honour writer and broadcaster Francis MacManus, the RTÉ Short Story Competition has been a critically important launch pad for new and emerging writers in Ireland. Past winners and shortlisted writers include Claire Keegan, Danielle McLaughlin, Anthony Glavin, Chris Binchy, Nuala O'Connor, Liz Nugent, Colin Walsh, Stephen Walsh and Sarah Gilmartin.
As winning author, Kevin Donnellan will receive a prize of €3,000, while Sarah Keating and Dónal Minihane will each receive €1,500 as joint runners-up. The seven runners-up will receive €250 each.
Commenting on his winning story, Donnellan said: "I wanted to write something about loneliness and anxiety and how participation in sport can help to ease it -- and, sometimes, serve merely to mask it."
As winning author, Kevin Donnellan will receive a prize of €3,000, while Sarah Keating and Dónal Minihane will each receive €1,500 as joint runners-up. The seven runners-up will receive €250 each.
Commenting on his winning story, Kevin Donnellan said: "I wanted to write something about loneliness and anxiety and how participation in sport can help to ease it -- and, sometimes, serve merely to mask it."
The stories are currently being broadcast and podcast at 11.20pm weeknights on Late Date with Cathal Murray (Fiachna Ó Braoináin on Fridays) on RTÉ Radio 1. Full schedule below…
Monday 27 Sept
The Third Day by Kevin Donnellan read by Éanna Hardwicke (first prizewinner)
Tuesday 28 Sept
Mamó by Sara Keating read by Ingrid Craigie (joint second prize)
Wed 29 Sept
Windsea by Dónal Minihane read by Aaron Monaghan (joint second prize)
Thurs 30 September
People Over There by Doaa Baker read by Rachel O'Byrne
Fri 1 Oct
Muddlers by Gráinne O'Hare read by Ali White
Mon 4 Oct
A Hurt Like That by Paul Boyle read by Derbhle Crotty
Tues 5 Oct
The Pines by Paul Lenehan read by Norma Sheahan
Wed 6 Oct
We Must All Be Kind by Hugo Kelly read by Ronan Leahy
Thurs 7 Oct
The Johns by Rachel Walshe read by Kathy Rose O'Brien
Fri 8 Oct
The Night Call by Helen O'Neill read by Jane Brennan
For more on the RTÉ Short Story Competition, go here.
