RTÉ Short Story Competition

Irish short fiction for radio, selected from the long-running annual contest in honour of Francis MacManus run by RTÉ, Irish public radio. A shortlist is broadcast every year, voiced by some of Ireland's most talented actors of the stage and screen. For more visit rte.ie/culture and rte.ie/writing.

The Rehearsal, by Alexis MacIsaac

The Rehearsal, by Alexis MacIsaac, ready by Tierra Porter

11-21
15:13

Dead Bait, by Mattie Brennan

Dead Bait, by Mattie Brennan, read by Aaron Monaghan

11-20
17:13

Planning the Leftovers, by Sheila Barrett

Planning the Leftovers, by Sheila Barrett, read by Bríd Ní Neachtain

11-19
15:38

The Warbler, by Caitríona McArdle

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Elaine O'Dwyer, in the words of the judges "a well-crafted, affecting tale...a lovely, gentle portrait of teenagerdom as the summer holidays start"

10-27
16:37

Mr Hoo, by John O'Donnell

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Emmet Farrell, in the words of the judges “a beautiful, exhilarating, and deeply touching story about an easily-led, bird-loving young fellow’s trip to the dark side”

10-26
14:10

On Craigavon Bridge, by Peter McCauley

From the 2023 shortlist, read by David Pearse, in the words of the judges a “darkly funny, relentless and surprising tale around a father and son’s increasingly manic search for a lost greyhound”

10-25
14:50

Artificial Intelligence for Psychotherapists, by Ilona Adams

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Camille Lucy Ross, in the words of the judges “a really funny, really timely, comic symphony around cyber love”

10-24
15:41

You, by Nadine O'Regan

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Kathy Rose O'Brien, in the words of the judges “a smart, considered, lively vision of manipulation, revenge and gloriously twisted love”

10-23
15:06

It All Began With The Turlough, by Caoimhín Gaffney

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Aaron Monaghan, in the words of the judges an “extraordinary feat of imagination,” and “an original and funny fantasy with a lake as the protagonist”

10-22
16:06

Breathe, by Robin Livingstone

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Marty Rea, in the words of the judges “a breath-taking, captivating and authentic immersion into a teenage boy’s involvement in a street protest”

10-20
10:40

Off Season, by Jamie Samson

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Rory Nolan, in the words of the judges “funny and sad and thoroughly engrossing; a triumph of atmosphere”

10-19
15:30

Tessa and Viviane, by Julie Cruickshank

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Janet Moran, in the words of the judges “a captivating, poignant tale of a young woman dealing with the loss of her eccentric mother”

10-18
15:37

The Turkish Rug, by Natalie Ryan

From the 2023 shortlist, read by Andrew Bennett, in the words of the judges "a beguiling and subtly-observed portrait of hope, resignation and resilience"

10-17
14:45

Cherries, by Sara Keating

A story encompassing the intimacy and vulnerability of motherhood, and a mother's love for her son

10-21
15:40

Strawberry Season, by Doreen Finn

A teenage girl, driving to the south of France with squabbling parents and the family dog

10-20
14:57

Big Why, Little Why by Brendan Killeen

A father and son holidaying in Madrid overhear a couple in a museum discussing the merits of a particular masterpiece

10-19
14:55

The Big House of Nora Toad, by Rachel Hynes

A deserted house, an unlikely friendship and a small-town Ireland we can all recognise

10-18
16:15

The Coast of Africa, by Julie Cruickshank

Inspired by an ancient landscape, this is a story of coming to terms with grief and a changing relationship between father and son

10-17
14:40

Cnámharlach Uaigneach, by Nicola Crean

A playful and surreal send-up of the fairy and folk tales we all know so well

10-16
11:00

A Nice Cup of Tea, by Bernard Crowley

The conflicting emotions that arise from a family member's death from a drug overdose

10-16
13:41

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