Winners of the 2020 Oireachtas literary competitions announced

An tOireachtas has announced, at an online event, the winners of this year’s literary competitions.

This year’s syllabus comprised of 23 competitions – 15 for adult writers and eight for young writers – and genres included general fiction (short story and novel), prose, poetry, drama and more.

A collective prize fund of €27,000 was awarded, including the second prize of €100 in Comórtas B6: Scéal – Roinn B (under 21) to Cillian Ó Baoill from Ballina for Na Daoine Maithe.

Amongst this year’s big winners were Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, who won first prize in the general fiction category for his novel Madame Lazare; Feargal Ó Béarra’s work Buile, which won the prose competition; and Oilithreacht na gCríoch Déanach by Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa, who won the poetry collection competition.

“I wish to congratulate all of the writers who received prizes this year,” said Liam Ó Maolaodha, national director of An tOireachtas.

“The literary competitions play an important role in the lives of many writers and we, as an organisation, strive to optimise opportunities for the network of Irish writers worldwide, to promote Irish literature and new Irish writing among writers of all ages.

“I would like to sincerely thank our judging panel as well as Foras na Gaeilge and all our competition sponsors for their support again this year.”

The winners of the literary competitions were announced as part of the Oireachtas na Samhna 2020 online festival. The celebration of Irish language writers and poets will continue throughout the week with a host of not-to-be-missed events, including An Gúm Book Club with Alan Titley, the launch of the Concise English-Irish Dictionary, An Chúirt Filíochta, prose readings, and the 35th anniversary celebrations of publishing house Cló Iar-Chonnacht. Up to date information regarding the festival schedule of events is available at www.antoireachtas.ie.