It was an exciting night on Friday 27th October when the audience gathered in the Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire to hear the winners of the RTÉ Short Story Competition announced, live on Arena, presented by Sean Rocks.

'Mr Hoo' by John O'Donnell won first prize of €5,000 for a story the judges deemed "a beautiful, exhilarating, and deeply touching story about an easily-led, bird-loving young fellow's trip to the dark side"

'Tessa and Viviane' by Julie Cruickshank took second prize of €4,000 and 'Breathe' by Robin Livingstone won third prize of €3,000.

Alongside the other finalists - Natalie Ryan, Jamie Samson, Caoimhín Gaffney, Nadine O'Regan, Ilona Adams, Peter McCauley and Caitríona McArdle - here is a selection of images from the night.....

the 10 finalists (l to r: Caoimhín Gaffney, Ilona Adams, Robin Livingstone, Natalie Ryan, Nadine O'Regan, presenter Sean Rocks, Caitríona McArdle, Julie Cruickshank, Peter McCauley, John O'Donnell and Jamie Samson / all pics: Maxwell Photography)

(l to r) Arena presenter Sean Rocks with judges Kathleen MacMahon and Ferdia MacAnna

the finalists take their place in the front row, ready for the show to begin

singer Susannah de Wrixon entertains the audience

actor Rory Nolan performs extracts from some of the shortlisted stories

actor Caitríona Ní Mhurchú performs extracts from some of the shortlisted stories

judge Ferdia MacAnna congratulates 3rd prize winner Robin Livingstone

judge Kathleen MacMahon congratulates 2nd prize winner Julie Cruickshank

judge Ferdia MacAnna congratulates 1st prize winner John O'Donnell

the three prize winners join Sean Rocks on stage

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