Shortlist announced for RTÉ Short Story Competition 2026
RTÉ has announced the shortlist of ten stories for its 2026 Short Story Competition, honoring Francis MacManus, selected from nearly 2,500 entries. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the competition, which is a significant platform for new Irish writing.
Why it matters
The competition fosters new literary talent in Ireland and provides a platform for emerging writers, contributing to the cultural landscape. Being shortlisted can significantly boost a writer's career.
RTÉ has announced details of the ten outstanding new stories which have been shortlisted for the RTÉ Short Story Competition 2026 in honour of Francis MacManus, from almost 2,500 entries submitted.
2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the RTÉ Short Story Competition, which has been at the heart of new Irish writing throughout the four decades.
The ten shortlisted short stories were selected by this year's judges, Aingeala Flannery, Tristan Rosenstock and Jan Carson, and they are ( in alphabetical order, by story title ):
James Langley Was In Love With Sean Harris by Stephanie O'Connor
Like Clean Windows Kill The Birds by John O'Donovan
The Light From Other Places by Kartikay Gupta
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