Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: Dog Days by Sean Coffey

At the suggestion of their counsellor, a couple make a day-trip together in order to bolster their ailing marriage. Their choice of destination proves inspiring but in ways neither they nor their counsellor could have envisaged.

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: Shelter by Sarah Togher

A couple hope to buy their own home in a difficult financial climate. Their plans are more complicated when he has mental health difficulties and she must keep everything going.

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: The House Guest by Aisling Flynn

A dream-like fable wherein a mysterious house guest arrives one day to terrorize a mother and daughter. Their home is quickly thrown into chaos circling around feelings of loss, fear, and loneliness.

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: The Widower by Nora Pyne

What is it to live out the grief of loss in a small town, but a loss that comes decades too early. When a husband or wife dies with young children still at home, the community offers condolence, but condolence often flavoured by sympathy, and the sympathy of unshared experience can be heavy, suffocating and isolating. Where does it leave the person left behind, publicly conspicuous as a young widow or widower, living a very private grief?

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: Kamikaze by Aingeala Flannery

A young Irish woman tries to shed her skin during a filthy hot New York summer. She has to hustle for what she wants, but does she have the smarts to stay out of trouble?

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: In Madness and In Feathers by Méabh de Brún

In a story that brings Celtic myth and magical realism to modern Ireland, the wife of the legendary Mad Sweeney battles the curse of a belligerent saint and the rising rental crisis, struggling to keep her head as her husband descends into madness.

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018

The 3rd place entry from this year's Francis MacManus Short Story Competition, 'Have You Seen Her Legs and other stories from Fat Land' by Claire Mulligan. The story equivalent is of death by a thousand cuts. Each vignette gives a glimpse into a moment in a girl's life where thoughtless words about her body leave marks that cannot be removed.

Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: 2nd Place

Tonight's story is the 2nd place entry in this year's Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018: 'The New Place' by Peter McNamara. Phil’s mam has just moved out of the family home. In the story, Phil is visiting her in her new flat, and trying to figure out how he feels.

Winner: Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2018

The winning entry from this year's Francis MacManus Short Story Competition, 'Ashes' by Claire Zwaartman. 'Ashes' is the story of a pair of siblings scattering their father’s ashes. It is about the complicated nature of family, disharmony and moving on. In their early twenties, Mike and Emer must let go of anger and resentment with this final act.

The Talking Doll by Daniel Hughes

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: The Talking Doll by Daniel Hughes read by Patrick Dawson.

The Last Time I Saw Valerie by Mary McGill.

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: The Last Time I Saw Valerie by Mary McGill.

Reminiscence, an Ice Age, an Otter and an Eel by Pól Mac Mathúna.

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Reminiscence, an Ice Age, an Otter and an Eel by Pól Mac Mathúna.

Happiness by Hilary Minch

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Happiness by Hilary Minch read by Bairbre Ní Chaoimh

Spun Sugar by Anne Marie Harrington

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Spun Sugar by Anne Marie Harrington read by Aonghus Óg McAnally.

Chrysalis by Lesley Cassidy

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Chrysalis by Lesley Cassidy read by Bairbre Ní Chaoimh.

Writing Slang by John Fleming

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Whaling Slang by John Fleming read by Gary Murphy.

Red by Colin Burns

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Red by Colin Burns read by Andrew Bennett.

Bedtime Routine by Simon Rochford

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Bedtime Routine by Simon Rochford read by Aaron Monaghan.

All There Ever Is by Toby McGrath

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: All There Ever Is by Toby McGrath read by Karl O'Neill.

Poked by Anne Donnelly

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Poked by Anne Donnelly read by Catherine Walsh.

White by Alannah Hopkin

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: White by Alannah Hopkin read by Angela Harding.

Head Shot by John Martin

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Head Shot by John Martin read by Keith Hanna.

Mrs Ledbetter by Patrick Talbot

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Mrs Ledbetter by Patrick Talbot read by Caitríona Ni Mhurchú.

Tying the Knot by Clare O'Reilly

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Tying the Knot by Clare O'Reilly read by Aileen Mythen.

Bumblebee by Fiona Gartland

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Bumblebee by Fiona Gartland read by Angela Harding.

Early Days by Joanne Hayden

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Early Days by Joanne Hayden read by Karen Ardiff

Silvercup by Fergal O'Byrne

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Silvercup by Fergal O'Byrne read by Andrew Bennett.

O Danny Boy by Peter McNiff

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: O Danny Boy by Peter McNiff read by Aaron Monaghan.

Bus by Dermot Christophers

read by Hugh O'Conor

He's Going Nowhere, Your Son by Fiona O'Rourke

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: He's Going Nowhere, Your Son by Fiona O'Rourke read by Catherine Walsh.

Venus and a Little Hell by Annemarie Neary

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Venus and a Little Hell by Annemarie Neary read by Robert O'Mahoney.

Whalesong by Barbara Leahy

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: Whalesong by Barbara Leahy read by Aonghus Óg McAnally.

The Chamber Pot by Richard Ball

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: The Chamber Pot by Richard Ball read by Andrew Bennett.

The Oyster Catchers by Beth Tyrell

A reading of one of the 25 finalists of the Francis MacManus Short Story Competition: The Oyster Catchers by Beth Tyrrell read by Kelly Campbell.

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