Guinness & Coke by Lochlainn McKenna, read by Éanna Hardwicke

Guinness & Coke by Lochlainn McKenna one of 10 Shortlisted Stories in this year's competition, tells of father-and-son weekend adventures by car throughout the length and breadth of the country. Wonderfully written with matter-of-fact child’s eye storytelling but with an undertow of sadness

Tactics by Andrew Maguire, read by Ignacy Rybarczyck

Tonight’s story from the shortlist of this year's RTÉ Short Story Competition, Tactics, by Andrew Maguire, is “impressive, commanding and intense” in the words of the judges. Unusually – but to great effect – it’s told in the future tense. It features a boy, Wojciech, who plays snooker with older Irish men in a shebeen – playing to win

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Julie Cruikshank read by Cathy Belton

In Beneath the Trees, Where Nobody Sees, by Julie Cruickshank, a woman takes her daughters and nephew on a playdate to a park where there’s a tree the children love. But underneath the surface, something darker is going on…

Everything Will be Recorded by Sean Mackel read by Lalor Roddy

One of the 10 Shortlisted Stories from this year's competition, the story moves fluently between past and present as a man and his granddaughter in Inishowen try to rescue an injured bird. Everything will be Recorded is read by Lalor Roddy

The Brow of the Hill by Edel Moloney read by Derbhle Crotty

The Brow of the Hill, one of this year's shortlisted of ten, 'takes us to a snowy Sunday morning in December 1886 on the feast of St Sabas, a day when death and life intermingle. The setting is magnificently rendered, the images are striking, it’s like stepping inside a painting. ' The Brow of the Hill by Edel Moloney is read by Derbhle Crotty

Neadú by Ceri Garfield, read by Bríd Ní Neachtain

Neadú, by Ceri Garfield, is one of the first Irish language entries to make it to the shortlist of the RTÉ Short Story Competition in a few years. Described by the judges as “beautiful and tender”, Neadú is the story of a little boy who’s confined to home; he finds a bird and with it a tantalizing glimmer of the world beyond his boundaries.

Hands, A Downpour by Aengus Murray, read by Liam Carney

One of 10 shortlisted stories, Hands; A Downpour by Aengus Murray, is read by Liam Carney. Taking the form of a single continuous sentence, Hands; A Downpour by Aengus Murray was inspired, the writer says, by “a dejected figure” he saw, “standing in the middle of the footpath as rain teemed down upon and around him.'

The Shape on the Strand by Katherine Duffy, read by Jane Brennan

“A clever, delightful story with a rare mix of playful humour and deadly seriousness,” is how this year’s competition judges described The Shape on the Strand by Katherine Duffy, a ghost story concerning a literary translator, a transgression, and a feathered hat which was awarded third prize in the RTÉ Short Story Competition 2020,

Kissing Booth by Alan Walsh

Kissing Booth by Alan Walsh was awarded 2nd prize in this year's competition. Read on air by Bláithín MacGabhann, Kissing Booth is described by the judges as a dark, clever, funny, dystopian tale of our times in which catching a virus is a ticket to a better life

Flower Wild by Shane Tivenan

The winning entry to the RTÉ Short Story Competition 2020: Flower Wild - the story of the Irish woman, Violet Gibson, who shot Mussolini - was written by Shane Tivenan and is read by Ingrid Craigie

Salt by Triona Walsh

The final story in our series from the shortlist of the RTÉ Radio 1 Competition in honour of Francis MacManus. In Salt by Tríona Walsh, a young wife, miserable in her husband’s rural homeplace, struggles between supporting the dreams of the man she loves, and trying everything to convince him to leave. It’s read by Caitríona Ní Mhurchú

Toby, Toby, Toby by Dee Roycroft

Our series of short stories in honour of Francis MacManus continues tonight with the comic and inventive Toby, Toby, Toby by Dee Roycroft. It features a dog in a celestial spirit world, hoping to get to the next level of reincarnation. The story is read by Andrew Bennett

The Planters by Mel O'Doherty

Our series of short stories in honour of Francis MacManus continues tonight with The Planters by Mel O’Doherty, a story of a family tragedy at a time of great change in Irish history. It’s read by Gary Murphy

Filling in Blanks by Niamh Heery

Time for another short story now from our series in honour of Francis MacManus. In Filling in Blanks by Niamh Heery, a sick day at home makes a schoolgirl see the adults in her life in a new light. It’s read by Ruth McGill

Out the Pontoon Road by Edward Melvin

Our season of RTÉ Radio 1 Short Stories in honour of Francis MacManus continues with 'Out The Pontoon Road' by Edward Melvin. It features the exploits of local hero Micheál playing out against the backdrop of a summer town regatta. It’s read by Emmet Kirwan.

News by Sheila Barrett

Our series of short stories in honour of Francis MacManus continues tonight with News, by Sheila Barrett. In this story, Margaret hopes for tidings of her son in America, who’s dropped out of contact. It’s read by Ali White

WonderHouse (Some Assembly Required) by Stephen Walsh.

A story about one man's difficult relationship -- with a flatpack. Like all his relationships, it has instructions he should probably follow. But he has other ideas on which parts belong where... It is read by Peter Hanly

The Boxer Rebellion by Liz Houchin

Tonight's story is The Boxer Rebellion by Liz Houchin. This story won third prize in the RTÉ Radio 1 Short Story Competition in honour of Francis MacManus. A woman doesn’t recognise her husband’s boxer shorts and decides her marriage must be over.The story is read by Janet Moran.

Vena Amoris by Niall McArdle, read by Eamon Morrissey

This story won 2nd Prize in the season of RTÉ Radio 1 Short Stories in honour of Francis MacManus 2019. In the story, a widower loses something precious: an object which has been his faithful companion through his marriage

Winning Story: Francis MacManus Short Story Competition 2019

For the next two weeks, at the same time, you can hear a story from the shortlist of ten in the Francis MacManus Competition for 2019, selected from over 2000 entries this year. with the story that . Honey Days by Stephen O'Reilly won first prize in the competition - it's is a dark fairytale about artificial intelligence. It is read by Jane Brennan

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.

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