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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
