Sunday 16 March 2008

Francis MacManus Shortlist


The buggers. The Fools. They didn't chose my brilliant creation. below, the shortlist. But going back and re-reading my story, I can see holes. I thought it was perfect when I posted it last year. Has that ever happened to you?

The 2007 competition attracted over 700 entries from all over Ireland and from Irish people living abroad. The panel were impressed by the high standard of the entries and selected 22 entries for the short–list. All of these stories will be broadcast over the summer, starting with the winning entry.

SHORT LIST:

1. JACKIE BLACKMAN, DUBLIN 4.
TITLE: OLD BIKE

2. GERRY BOLAND, KEADUE, CO. ROSCOMMON.
TITLE: THE MAN WITH NO NAME

3. ELIZABETH CARTY, DUNSANY, CO. MEATH.
TITLE: WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT?

4. JOHN AUSTIN CONNOLLY, BOOTERSTOWN, CO. DUBLIN.
TITLE: CROCHET

5. EILEEN COUNIHAN, DUBLIN 18.
TITLE: LOSER

6. CIARAN FOLAN, AN SPIDEAL, CO. NA GAILLIMHE.
TITLE: THE BOOKIE’S RUNNER

7. RICHARD GIBNEY, DUBLIN 13.
TITLE: FATHER FEENEY’S MARCH OF THE BLESSED

8. KEVIN GILDEA, DUN LAOGHAIRE, CO. DUBLIN.
TITLE: THIRSTY

9. MARTIN MALONE, KILDARE TOWN,
CO. KILDARE
TITLE: GOD OF LITTLE

10. JAMES MARTYN, RENMORE, GALWAY.
TITLE: DUSTWOMAN

11. DAVID ANDREW MCILROY, BELGIUM.
TITLE: A BRIEF LOVE FOR ROWANBERRIES

12. RUTH MCKEE, SKERRIES, CO. DUBLIN.
TITLE: DROWNING

13. ALYS MEIRIOL, CONNEMARA, CO. GALWAY.
TITLE: WASP’S NEST

14. THALIA MILLER, DUBLIN 8.
TITLE: THE BLUE OLIVE TREE

15. JUDITH MOK, DUBLIN 8.
TITLE: WHERE’S THE PARTY

16. PHILIP O’CEALLAIGH, DUBLIN 3.
TITLE: WALKING AWAY

17. JOE O’DONNELL, BLACKROCK, CO. DUBLIN.
TITLE: VELEDICTION

18. MARY O’GORMAN, CLONMEL, CO. TIPPERARY.
TITLE: ONE HUNDRED STROKES

19. DENIS O’NEILL, DUNDALK, CO. LOUTH.
TITLE: FIRST FRIDAY

20. KEVIN POWER, RATHCOOLE, CO. DUBLIN.
TITLE: WILDERNESS GOTHIC

21. VINCENT SCOTT, DUBLIN 6.
TITLE: AN UNEVEN EVENT

22. MAIRIDE WOODS, DUBLIN 13
TITLE: WAITING BY THE LUTETIA


The winners of the competition will be announced on Tuesday, 1 April 2008.

9 comments:

Group 8 said...

That story 'The Blue Olive Tree' is on the William Trevor Shortlist too. Is simultaneous submitting rampant?! I was always told it was bad form and not to do it...

Emerging Writer said...

I wouldn't do it/have been told not to do it but the rules only say not previously broadcast or published. It must be a good story.

Group 8 said...

Indeed and it must be.
Yes, the various prizes have all sorts of differing rules that can be used to the writer's advantage i.e. the same story can win in several comps as long as it has not been published. But I still think simultaneous subs to comps that are running at the same time is a bit 'off'.

Colm Keegan said...

I entered myself too - totally gutted, although unsurprised, not to have been shortlisted. Great to see Kevin Power there, my moneys on him to win. He's a great writer.

Claire Sils said...

I'm dissapointed. I worked very hard on that story. And I'm annoyed that they gave it to an old employee of RTE; www.wallpaper.blogs.ie

Emerging Writer said...

Hi Claire,

Sorry your story didn't win. Which was it? Are they going to broadcast it? Here are the results

Joe O'Donnell from Blackrock, Co. Dublin was awarded first prize of €3,000 and a Waterford Crystal trophy for his short story 'Valediction'. Joe has written for stage, radio, television, special events and magazines. He has had over thirty radio plays broadcast both here and abroad. For television Joe has written and directed extensively for Glenroe, The Riordans The Morbegs, The House of Jerusalem, You Are Here and many children's series. He was Head of Young People's TV in RTÉ for seven years, and is the creator and first writer/producer of the Bosco series. He is a former winner of the Francis Mac Manus Award and has had over fifteen short stories broadcast.

**You shouldn't be allowed to win twice, methinks

The second prize winner on the night was Eileen Counihan from Shankill, Dublin 18 with 'Loser.' She currently works as a freelance PR consultant and has a partner, three children, a dog, a cat, a fish, a guinea pig and a hen!

Gerry Boland picked up the third prize of €1,000 with The Man with No Name. Gerry who hails from Co. Roscommon has had poems published in 'The Stinging Fly, The Shop Southword' and other magazines including 'Quadrant' in Brisbane.

Emerging Writer said...

The more I think about it, the more irritated I am that the Frances MacManus award was won by someone who's done so much work for radio and TV. The award is supposed to be to encourage new (or newish) writers to radio. It's not the winners fault, it's RTE.

Unknown said...

Hi all, can these and previous entries be seen in print or are they only available as radio broadcasts?

Emerging Writer said...

As far as I'm aware, they're only available on audio. I know some people have included their pieces in other print publications but RTE may be missing an opportunity for print here. Anyone know?