Judging is complete on the 2023 competition; our thanks to all 1700-plus writers who submitted a story. This year's stories "were a delight to read and a testament to the great Irish tradition of storytelling," in the words of judge Kathleen MacMahon. "There were stories that surprised us, stories that made us laugh, and stories that took the form in a new and exciting direction."
Here is the 2023 shortlist, as chosen by judges Claire Kilroy, Ferdia Mac Anna and Kathleen MacMahon, to be broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 at 11.20pm as part of Late Date, starting Monday 16 October:
Monday 16 October: The Turkish Rug by Natalie Ryan, read by Andrew Bennett
Tuesday 17 October: Tessa and Viviane by Julie Cruickshank, read by Janet Moran
Wednesday 18 October: Off Season by Jamie Samson, read by Rory Nolan
Thursday 19 October: Breathe by Robin Livingstone, read by Marty Rea
Friday 20 October: It All Began With The Turlough by Caoimhín Gaffney, read by Aaron Monaghan
(no story on Saturday 21st October)
Sunday 22 October: You by Nadine O'Regan, read by Kathy Rose O'Brien
Monday 23 October: Artificial Intelligence for Psychotherapists by Ilona Adams, read by Camille Lucy Ross
Tuesday 24 October: On Craigavon Bridge by Peter McCauley, read by David Pearse
Wednesday 25 October: Mr Hoo by John O'Donnell, read by Emmet Farrell
Thursday 26 October: The Warbler by Caitríona McArdle, read by Elaine O'Dwyer
They will also be regularly featured on Arena with Seán Rocks, leading up to this year’s live Arena/ RTÉ Short Story Awards evening which takes place at 7pm on Friday 27 October in the Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. On the night, we’ll hear from our judges, Claire Kilroy, Ferdia MacAnna and Kathleen MacMahon, the shortlisted writers and each of the stories in live performance before the judges award their top prizes.
Check out the RTÉ Culture site for more details of this year's shortlist.
And join us on awards night! Tickets are available here