"Eclectic, captivating and a real snapshot of the issues pertinent in contemporary Ireland"
Here, after over 2000 entries, is the shortlist for the RTÉ Short Story Competition in honour of Francis MacManus 2025: ten stories that are "eclectic, captivating and a real snapshot of the issues pertinent in contemporary Ireland", in the words of judge Jan Carson.
The shortlisted stories, in alphabetical order by story title are:
A Spectrum of Sorrow by Angela Finn
Auntie and Anto and Ivy and Ava by Ian Feighery
Corrán na Maidine by Niall Ó Siadhail
Feeding Time by Sinèad Troy
It Must Have Come First by Sage Omar
Kazakhstan by Kevin McDermott
Labels by Mary O'Rourke
Pool Story by Jill Kenny
Witness by Lynda McCarthy
Wolves by Peter McCauley
All ten stories will be published on rte.ie/culture on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October, and broadcast over the course of the following two weeks, from Monday 13th October on RTÉ Radio 1's Late Date, with the stories read by an ensemble of Irish actors.
They'll also be featured regularly on RTÉ Radio 1's Arena in advance of the awards event, a special live edition of Arena from the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, at 7pm on Friday 24th October.
The winning writer will receive €5,000, while the second and third placed writers will receive €4,000 and €3,000 respectively. All seven runners-up will receive €300 each.
Tickets for that event are now on sale at paviliontheatre.ie
Remarking on the high quality of this year's stories, new judge Jan Carson said: "The writing was notably strong and engaging with a wide-ranging variety of themes explored though it was interesting to see some re-occurring themes emerging. These included aging, experiences of mental health issues, coercive control and, of course, the family. The judging process was really enjoyable with all three judges coming to harmonious agreement on the stories which should make the shortlist. The shortlist we decided upon is eclectic, captivating and a real snapshot of the issues pertinent in contemporary Ireland. We’re so looking forward to hearing these stories brought to life by a range of talented actors and seeing how the listening public responds."
Also joining the judging panel, Tristan Rosenstock said: "Judging this year's competition was an absolute pleasure and allowed me the opportunity to enjoy a cornucopia of new Irish writing. The ten shortlisted stories represent the breadth of voices, along with the extraordinarily high standard of writing that was there in abundance in this year's crop. Many other stories could have easily made it on this year's shortlist, such was the quality of storytelling. Caring for family members, rocky relationships and coping with grief are among the themes that were so eloquently explored by our shortlisted writers. They all richly deserve to be read - and heard - over the coming weeks. Enjoy!"
Returning judge, Neil Hegarty, added: "It was a great pleasure to judge this year’s RTÉ Short Story Competition. I was struck once more by the sense that this competition assesses the mood of the country, that it has the finger on the pulse of what is moving through our thoughts in Ireland, of what is being discussed between friends and within families. Health and ageing, grief and the possibilities for happiness, children’s issues, our ongoing transformation into a multicultural society, women’s stories in all their variety and complexity, masculinity and the different forms it can take – all of these themes, and so many more, register in the stories this year. What a privilege to read them – and my thanks to my fellow judges Jan Carson and Tristan Rosenstock, and to competition editor Sarah Binchy."
Producer of the series, Sarah BInchy said: "After a bumper year for entries, I’m delighted with this year’s vibrant shortlist, and looking forward very much to sharing the stories with our listeners, as voiced by our talented actors. I’d also like to acknowledge the sad recent loss of our RTÉ Radio 1 colleague, Arena presenter Seán Rocks. The Arena team have been wonderful partners of this series over the years, culminating in the annual Arena/RTÉ Short Story live awards night in the Pavilion Theatre, and Seán was absolutely central to that, always handling proceedings with his customary warmth, humour, intelligence and grace. We will seek to honour him by continuing this tradition in partnership with the brilliant Arena team, and with our fine judges this year: Neil Hegarty, Jan Carson and Tristan Rosenstock."
For information:
Neil O'Gorman, Corporate Communications Manager, RTÉ | E: neil.ogorman@rte.ie