2021 COMPETITIONS
Listowel Writers’ Week Announce Shortlist for Pigott Poetry Prize Award 2021
Ireland’s ‘world-class’ contribution to the world of poetry is once again recognised in the shortlist for the coveted Pigott Poetry Prize for 2021 which has just been announced.
Three poetry collections by Irish poets have been shortlisted for the 2021 Pigott Poetry Prize. This prize, in its eighth year, is Ireland’s largest monetary prize for a poetry collection by an Irish poet, with the winner being awarded €12,000 and the two shortlisted finalists each receiving €1,000. Over 50 collections were submitted for this year’s award and adjudicators Mark Waldron and Maura Dooley had the task of selecting the shortlist of three on behalf of Listowel Writers’ Week.
The three shortlisted collections are as follows:
Collected Poems by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin
Found Architecture – Selected Poems by Sinéad Morrissey
Ourselves by Beda Higgins
Speaking about the adjudication, Poet Maura Dooley said: “Transported, educated, made to see the world differently; we were delighted to discover many fresh and exciting new voices in amongst new books from already familiar and beloved poets. It was a very difficult task to choose just three books from such a rich field.”
Catherine Moylan, Chairperson of Listowel Writers’ Week revealed the shortlist. “We are delighted to announce this shortlist which celebrates these jewels of Irish poetry. Thanks to Mark Pigott KBE for his generous sponsorship which helps us ensure that Irish poetry is promoted, recognised and enjoyed both nationally and internationally”
The Pigott Poetry Prize is sponsored by Mark Pigott KBE who said, “It is a blessing to be able to support this wonderful literary award and recognise the leading poets of Ireland. This is the 8th year of the prize and the competition is world class. I would like to thank our adjudicators, Mark Waldron and Maura Dooley, for their hard work and thorough review of all the entrants and congratulate them on their excellent selection of this year’s shortlist which showcases the beauty, diversity and strength of Irish Poetry”.
The overall winner of the prize will be announced on the opening night of Listowel Writers’ Week on the 2nd June, 2021.
View the video here: Shortlist for Pigott Poetry Prize Award 2021
The full list of competition winners at Listowel Writers’ Week will be announced and posted on our website, June 2nd, on www.writersweek.ie
2021 COMPETITIONS
Listowel Writers’ Week announce Shortlist for Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021
New Literary Stars to the fore as Listowel Writers’ Week announce Shortlist for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021.
The exciting rise of a new generation of Irish novelists is reflected in the shortlist for the 2021 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award which is revealed today. Two first-time novelists are among the five writers shortlisted for the prestigious award – one of the most sought-after accolades in Irish writing, with a shared prize fund of €17,000. More than 50 novels were submitted for this year’s award and adjudicators Rachel Cusk and Richard Skinner were given the arduous task of whittling these down to a shortlist of five on behalf of Listowel Writers’ Week.
The strength of Irish fiction writing is reflected in the submitted works, with established names competing with the younger brigade for the €15,000 prize for the overall winner. The five shortlisted novels are:
‘This Happy’ by Niamh Campbell
‘Threshold’ by Rob Doyle
‘A Sabbatical in Leipzig’ by Adrian Duncan
‘Words to Shape my Name’ by Laura McKenna
‘Bina’ by Anakana Schofield
Speaking about the adjudication process, author Richard Skinner said: “We judges were thrilled to see the variety and quality of this year’s entries for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Prize. There were many novels that impressed us but we feel these five shortlisted novels were the standouts this year for the experiment and playfulness they showed towards form and for their unique statements. Each one contained great beauty and originality – a rare combination these days.”
Announcing the shortlist, Catherine Moylan, Chairperson of Listowel Writers’ Week, stated: “Listowel Writers’ Week has always been a festival where emerging writers are encouraged and welcomed. It is wonderful to see two debut novelists (Niamh Campbell and Laura McKenna) amongst this year’s shortlist. We are delighted to be able to continue to celebrate Irish literature and as always, we are most grateful to our sponsors, Kerry Group, for helping us continue this important literary award.”
The overall winner of the €15,000 prize will be announced on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021. Speaking of their sponsorship, now in its 26th year, Kerry Group’s Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications, Catherine Keogh said: “We are delighted to continue our support of Listowel Writer’s Week. In the last year the role and value of books has never been more appreciated as writers bring us to new worlds and new experiences while our own movement has been so curtailed. Congratulations to all of the authors who have been shortlisted and I very much look forward to hearing who will be announced the winner in June.”
Click to view the video: Shortlist for Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021.
The full list of competition winners at Listowel Writers’ Week will be announced on June 2nd on www.writersweek.ie.
Competition Sponsors
- Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021. Total prize fund €17,000, kindly sponsored by Kerry Group PLC.
- Pigott Poetry Prize Award 2021. Total prize fund €14,000, kindly sponsored by Mark Pigott KBE & the Pigott Family.
- Nilsson Local Heritage Writing Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,400, kindly sponsored by the Nilsson Family.
- Bryan MacMahon Short Story Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,000, kindly sponsored by Aspire Technology Ltd – Bill Walsh.
- Duais Foras na Gaeilge Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,000, kindly sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge.
- Writing in Prisons Award 2021. Total prize fund €2,700, kindly sponsored by the Irish Prison Service, the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas & the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
- Creative Writing for Adults with Special Needs Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,000, kindly sponsored by Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors.
- Poetry Collection Award 2021. Total prize fund €2,500, kindly sponsored by Tim Costelloe, Profile Development, in memory of Joni Costelloe.
Details of all competition prize recipients will be announced at our virtual Awards Ceremony on June 2nd. Thank you to each creative writer who entered our 2021 Competitions. Best wishes to all!
