Short story: 

Winner: Cadenza by Rachael Murray

2nd: Coercion Cake by Rhiannon Lewis

3rd: On Edge by David Butler

Judges comments:

General comment on the shortlist

There were so many well-written entertaining, heart-breaking and funny stories in the shortlist that it was very difficult to whittle it down to just three winners. In the end the winning stories were selected as they were both on theme and excellently written.

1. Cadenza

This story is an original and imaginative take on one person’s experience of the post-covid world. Set in the near future, full of mystery and suspense from the outset, the slow release of information creates a reading experience that is both poignant and heart-warming.

2. Coercion Cake

This is a witty, insightful story in which adult sibling rivalry is brought into focus through different approaches to socialising post-lockdown. The tension between characters is presented with humour using skilfully executed dialogue, internal monologue and vivid scene-setting.

3. On Edge

 It takes great skill to deal with a difficult topic without talking about it directly. This story achieves this to a chilling result for the reader. The dialogue is fantastic and the tension builds brilliantly throughout the story right to the last line. 

Poetry: 

Winner: Prelapsarian by Partridge Boswell

2nd: To the Barber of Labrraid Loingsech by Niamh Twomey

3rd: Rolling a Cigarette by Daniel Johnson

Irish Poetry

Winner: Cóisir an Taoisigh by Caitriona Lane

2nd: Lasair Choille by David Butler

3rd: Íomhánna an Iarthair by David Butler 

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all entrants