Ireland’s Own is pleased to announce details of our 2014 Writing Competitions (this year again in association with the self-publishing company Original Writing).

Entries are invited to compete for €2200 in prizemoney.

The Open Short Story section is open to all and carries a prize fund of €1000 – a first prize of €600; second prize of €200 and two runners-up prizes of €100.  

The Beginners Short Story section is restricted to those who have never had a 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. 2000 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.

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.

In all three sections, entries should be the original and unpublished work of the sender, and should be typed on one side only of A4 paper, double spacing. Any number of entries may be submitted, but each story must be accompanied by a €6.00 (£5 Stg) fee, in cheque or money order – post no cash), made payable to IRELAND’S OWN.

Entries must be submitted by post; make sure you include your own name and address on each entry, and also your email address if you have one 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.

It is our intention to publish an anthology next year featuring the winners and best of the recommended entries.

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. Entries should be sent to: 2014 Original Writing Competitions, Ireland’s Own, Channing House, Rowe Street, Wexford.

Which section each entry is intended for should be clearly marked on the envelope. CLOSING DATE IS September 30th, 2014