Manchester Irish Writing Prize winners announced
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Manchester Irish Writing Prize winners announced

THE winners of the Manchester Irish Language Writing Prize have been announced.

The successful writers were chosen from strong shortlists by Belfast author Seán Ó Muireagáin and named following readings from his short story collection Gáire in Éag at a Story Evening held during the Manchester Irish Language Festival 2020.

Attendees at the virtual event also heard a message of support via video clip from Gerald Angley, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in London.

In his bi-lingual address he commented that "promoting poetry and prose in our native tongue is a great initiative and I am sure that the judges have not had an easy task at all in choosing from such a strong, diverse field".

He also commented on how fitting the theme of Athrú (Change) was for the year of 2020.

In the short story section Galway's Pádraig Ó Mathúna took the top spot with Cuimhní na Cille and a prize of £50 and Medb Ní Dhúláin of County Antrim received £25 as runner-up with Eireaball Cóiméad.

In the poetry categories, with the same prizes, first place went to Niall Ó Siadhail of London with Filleadhwhile Summer Quinn of South Dakota in the US won the second prize with Smúiríneach.

Special prizes of £25 were awarded to the best works by Manchester Irish Language Group students - with Olivia Ní Mhaoláin of Manchester taking the best poem award with Réaltógach  and the short story Séasúir na habhann proving a winner for Vincent Roddy, now of Derry.