IRELAND’S OWN is pleased to announce details of our 2024 Writing Competitions. Entrants are invited to compete for €2,450 in gift-card prizes.
OPEN SHORT STORY SECTION
The Open Short Story section (2,000 words maximum) is open to all and carries a prize fund of €1,000 gift cards – a first prize of €600; second prize of €200 and two runners-up prizes of €100.
BEGINNERS’ SHORT STORY SECTION
The Beginners’ Short Story section is restricted to those who have never had a short story published before. It carries a first prize of €300 and three runners-up prizes of €100. Entries for both short story sections should be of approx. 2,000 words, reflect the ethos of Ireland’s Own and be of a non-experimental nature. Occasionally, stories may need some slight adjustments to comply with our requirements; we reserve the right to make such changes. Entry in the competitions is deemed an acceptance of this condition.
MEMORIES SECTION
For the Memories Section we are asking entrants to tell us of some special moment or event in not more than 800 words. It could be about school, holidays, falling in love, getting married, emigrating, a special person you have known, etc. This section carries a first prize of €200 and four runners-up prizes of €100.
THE FRANK MCDONALD PRIZE
In memory of Frank McDonald (12/4/1932 to 04/05/2020). Frank McDonald was born in Dublin in 1932. He was an avid reader and a short story writer throughout his life, and was a regular contributor to Ireland’s Own magazine. His work also featured in the 2010 short story anthology. Following his retirement from his job as a bookbinder in 1998, Frank spent more than 10 years teaching adult literacy classes in Finglas, Dublin. During these years he introduced many people to the joy of reading and writing. He was married to his wife, Lily, for over 60 years and had four children and five grandchildren. His family has very generously donated a €250 prize which will be awarded to a new writer in the competition whose work stands out and leaves a lasting impression on our judges.
How to enter
Please note that this year we will only be accepting entries through our website www,irelandsown.ie All the instructions you need to submit your entry and pay the entry fee by card will be posted there on our home page.
In all three sections, entries should be the original and unpublished work of the sender, and should be typed with double spacing. Any number of entries may be submitted, individually, but each story must be accompanied by a €10.00 (£8 Stg) fee, paid by card via our website www.irelandsown.ie
Entries must be submitted via our website; make sure you include your own name and address on each entry, and also your phone number and email address to facilitate easy contact. The results will appear in the Christmas Annual in early December. The winning entries will be published in our Winning Writers Annual next May. No entry form is needed; the decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Entrants should retain copies of their work as manuscripts will NOT be returned.
Which section each entry is intended for should be CLEARLY MARKED on your entry where you enter your name and address. Closing date is Monday, September 30th, 2024.
If you would like to enter the competition, please do so through our online portal, here.
Ireland’s Own Writing Competition Terms & Conditions
Entries must be submitted through the portal provided and should arrive no later than 5pm on the specified closing date. Entries received after this date will not be included.
Winners will be announced in the Ireland’s Own Christmas Annual 2024.
Data will be kept for 28 days after the closing date for receipt of entries, for the purpose of determining winners. All customer data gathered through competitions will be securely destroyed within 28 days of the winner(s) being contacted. Any personal information relating to entrants will be used solely by us in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. All prize-winners unconditionally agree (as a condition of accepting any prize) to: (a) the use of their name, address and (b) co-operate with or participate in any other reasonable post-competition publicity. By entering this competition, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions and consent to your personal data being managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
If you would like to enter the competition, please do so through our online portal, here.
