RTÉ Radio 1 today announced a shortlist of 12 writers for the 2007 RTÉ PJ O'Connor Radio Drama Awards.
The author of the overall winning entry of a 30-minute play for radio will be announced at a ceremony in RTÉ Radio's studios on Tuesday 29 May.
A total of 200 plays by writers from all over Ireland and overseas were entered into two categories.
The shortlisted plays will now be considered by a panel of judges including Danish theatre critic and playwright Jesper Bergmann, director, producer and writer John Lynch and novelist Julie Parsons.
The aim of the RTÉ PJ O'Connor Radio Drama Awards is to encourage new writers to radio drama and to increase awareness of the possibilities and scope of radio as a medium in the field of drama.
As well as the professional production of their plays, the three overall winners of the 30-minute play category will receive €3,000 (winner), €2,000 (runner-up) and €1,000 (second runner-up).
There will also be a chance for winners to take part in a writers' workshop.
RTÉ PJ O'Connor Radio Drama Awards 2007 shortlist
'A Short Swim in the Air' by George Carroll, Crumlin, Dublin
'Shamrocks and War' by Philip Doherty, Cavan, Co Cavan
'Story' by Kevin Gildea, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
'Almost' by Ger Gleeson, Birr, Co Offaly
'In the Real World' by Ciarán Gray, North Strand, Dublin
'Nancy' by Garrett Keogh, Gorey, Co Wexford
'Mind the Gap' by Shay Linehan, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
'Song of the Small Bird' by Martin Malone, Kildare
'Life in Cars' by Kevin Murphy, Dalkey, Co Dublin
'Summer's Night' by Tina Noonan, Bray, Co Wicklow
'Hahana Murphy' by John O'Neill, New Zealand
'The Invasion of Planet Ballymun' by Liz Zimmerman, Dublin
