The 2024/25 Creative Writing Competition Supported by the All Ireland Scholarships is now closed
We received an unprecedented number of entries, and the judges are looking forward to reading your work.
Thank you to all Alumni for their submissions. Winners will be announced in mid-March.
Is this competition open to anyone?
No, this competition is open to members of the All Ireland Scholarships Alumni Association only.
Do I have to be an experienced writer to enter?
Not at all! While experienced writers are welcome to apply, we are actively seeking submissions from new voices and new storytellers too. Many of our previous winners have been first-time creative writers, so don’t worry if you haven’t got a track record as a writer yet. We’re looking forward to reading your work.
How do I submit an entry?
Category 1 (AIS Alumni only) should submit via the form above.
What format should my submission be?
Submissions must be in word.doc or .docx file attachments. Remember that you must keep to the word limits outlined above (not including title). Entries that exceed that maximum will be disqualified.
Should my entry have a title?
Yes, all submissions should contain a title (note this title will not be included in the word count).
Are there other layout requirements?
Submissions should be typed in a standard 12pt font and be double-spaced.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Both categories of this competition are free to enter.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes.
Do I retain copyright of my work?
Yes, all entrants retain long-term copyright to their work. (If your story is placed first, second, third or is highly commended in the competition, we ask for one-time publication rights after which copyright reverts to you.)
Do you accept simultaneous submissions (i.e., can your written submissions be under consideration for publication/competitions elsewhere?)
Yes, we are happy to accept simultaneous submissions, but we ask that you notify us immediately should your entry be successful elsewhere so that it can then be withdrawn from this competition.
Can I submit something that has already won a prize or been published elsewhere?
No, please do not submit work that has previously been successful in another contest or published elsewhere.
What themes or topics or stories are the judges looking for?
We welcome original creative writing stories, non-fiction or op-ed/opinion pieces on any subject, genre or theme. However, please be advised that content that we consider discriminatory or gratuitously offensive will be disregarded in its entirety. Judges’ decision is final.
When is the entry deadline?
31st January, 2025
If my entry is not shortlisted, will the judges explain the reasons why?
No. The judges' decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into in relation to the award decisions made
-In the event of an insufficient response and/or low numbers of competition entries, the Alumni Association competition team reserves the right not to award a prize or prizes once the specified time frame is complete.
-Entrants must be over 18 and must be Alumni or current students of the All Ireland Scholarships scheme.
-The judges’ decision will be final and they will have absolute discretion with regard to the number of awards in each category.
-No correspondence will be entered into with any entrants in relation to the award decisions.
-The competition screening, shortlisting and selection process will be overseen by the competition team and by a trustee of the Scholarships Association.
-Membership of the judging panel, prize money amounts, categories, competition time frames and deadlines may be subject to change.
-Shortlisted and / or winning entries may be subject to media and other forms of publication. By entering the competition, you agree to this.
Sarah is a professor, researcher and teacher at UL with a background in psychology and pedagogy. She was awarded her professorship in 2016 and has been recognised for her sector-wide impact on enhancing teaching and learning throughout Ireland’s higher education sector. She’s a lifelong writer and has published seven novels for children and young adults. Her shorter work has appeared in The London Magazine, Splonk The Guardian and The Irish Times.
Donal is an internationally renowned, much-loved and award-winning Irish writer. His debut novel ‘The Spinning Heart’ was sensationally received and marked the beginning of his stellar literary career. Donal’s writing is praised for its lyrical prose, its compassionate portrayal of characters, and its exploration of contemporary Irish life. He is one of Ireland's most talented contemporary authors. He is also a member of the creative writing teaching team at the University of Limerick.
Eoin is a cultural sociologist and creative writer from Limerick City. His creative writing has been published by numerous journals both nationally and internationally. His work has featured in The Irish Times, Poetry Ireland and broadcast by RTE Radio. His poem ‘Pravda’ has been shortlisted in the 2024 Irish Book Awards. A life-long music fan, Eoin has written the Sleeve Notes for the re-issued versions of The Cranberries' albums 'Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?', 'No Need To Argue' and 'To The Faithful Departed' for Universal Music London. He also wrote the sleeve notes for the 'Remembering Dolores' album released for Record Store Day. Eoin is a member UL’s creative writing teaching team where he teaches the ‘Creative writers in the community’ modules focusing on applying creative writing skills to bring value and impact to community-based projects.
Emily is the inaugural Meskell UL-Fifty Poet in Residence at the University of Limerick, where she teachesand lecturer on theUL’s MA in Creative Writing. Her third collection, Conditional Perfect (Doire Press, 2019), was included in The Irish Times round-up of “the best new programme. She has published three collections of poetry of 2019.” Emily and in 2008 was awarded an IRC fellowship for her doctoral research on the Irish harp. She gained a PhD in English from NUI Galway in 2008. Emily frequently publishes essays on Irish music and cultural history, as well as on modernist and contemporary poetry. She has served as Arts Officer of the University of Galway (1999-2002), Director of the Patrick Kavanagh Centenary (2004) and Director of Cúirt International Festival of Literature (2017-2019) and the Patrick Kavanagh Centenary (2004). Twice nominated for the Pushcart prize, her poetry explores themes of history, social justice, ecology, music and the female experience.
Surnaí holds a BA in English and Mathematics with Creative Writing from the National University of Ireland Galway, and an MLitt in Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture from University of St Andrews, Scotland. She’s winner of first and third place in the 2023-24 Roger Downer Creative Writing Award and joins as the AIS alumni judge for this year’s competition.