It was an exciting night on Friday 21st October when the audience gathered in the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire to hear the winners of the RTÉ Short Story Competition announced, live on Arena, presented by Sean Rocks.

'Big Why, Little Why' by Brendan Killeen won first prize of €5,000 for a story the judges deemed "wildly imaginative, surrealist extravaganza" and "a marvellous, unforgettable story world"

'Fire Starter' by Alan McCormick took second prize of €4,000 and the Irish language story 'Cnámharlach Uaigneach' by Nicola Crean won third prize of €3,000.

Alongside the other finalists - Aingeala Flannery, Antoinette McCarthy, Bernard Crowley, Julie Cruickshank, Rachel Hynes, Doreen Finn and Sara Keating - here is a selection of images from the night.....

the 10 finalists (l to r: Doreen Finn, Brendan Killeen, Antoinette McCarthy, Aingeala Flannery, Sara Keating, Nicola Crean, presenter Sean Rocks, Bernard Crowley, Julie Cruickshank, Alan McCormick and Rachel Hynes / all pics: Maxwell Photography)

(l to r) judge Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, presenter Sean Rocks, judges Ferdia MacAnna and Lisa McInerney

let the evening commence....finalists in the front row

music on the evening provided by singer Susannah de Wrixon, Conor Linehan (piano) and Ailbhe McDonagh (cello)

Susannah de Wrixon and Conor Linehan

actor Rory Nolan reading extracts from the shortlisted stories

actor Caitríona Ní Mhurchú reading extracts from the shortlisted stories

judge Éilís Ní Dhuibhne congratulates 3rd-prize winner Nicola Crean

judge Ferdia MacAnna congratulates 2nd-prize winner Alan McCormick

judge Lisa McInerney congratulates 1st-prize winner Brendan Killeen

You can listen to all of the stories, and read them, on this site or RTÉ Culture (click here)