Cúirt New Writing Prize 2022 (Closed)

The Cúirt New Writing Prize, kindly sponsored by Tigh Neachtain in memory of Lena McGuire, is now closed for submissions.

There are two categories: poetry & short fiction.

The winner in each category will be awarded a  €500 cash prize and the opportunity to read at the 37th annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature which will take place in Galway between Monday, 4th and Sunday, 10th April 2022.

This year we are delighted to announce that Poet Gail McConnell will judge the poetry prize and author Lisa McInerney will judge the short Fiction.

Cúirt New Writing Prize Guidelines for Entry

• Poetry entries must consist of up to three poems under 50 lines each

• Short stories should be no longer than 2,000 words.

• Entry costs €10 in total which covers one story or up to three poems.

• Entries are welcome in English and Irish. An Irish language adviser will be approached to assess entries in the Irish language.

• Writers submitting work should not have had a full collection or work published in the category in which they enter (novel or short collection for fiction, poetry collection for poetry); this does not include the publication of single poems, stories or chapbooks. If you have had single poems or stories published, you are still eligible to submit.

• The story or poems submitted should not have been accepted for publication elsewhere.

• There is no restriction on theme or style.

• The judges’ verdict is final.

• Stories cannot be altered or substituted once they have been entered.

• Judging is anonymous. Name and contact details must not appear on the stories or poems.

• Entries should be submitted as follows:

  • in a single document

  • In .doc or .docx format

  • Double spaced, in 12 pt font

  • The title of the document should be the title of the piece or pieces.

• Entries in the body of an email will not be accepted.

• International writers can enter the competition, but we are unable to  provide travel expenses to attend the 2022 festival, should they be successful.

• Entries submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

• Entry fees will not be returned if stories are withdrawn after entering.

• Entry is taken as acceptance of these rules..