Competition Entry & Timeline

2009 Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award

Competition now closed.

Open for Entries: October 1st 2008
Deadline for Entries: Monday Feb 2nd 2009
Shortlist: late May/early June 2009
Winner Announced: June 2009

Please read the competition rules below thoroughly or download them.
Download the official entry form and print it out.

Send entries to:
Davy Byrnes Irish Writing Award
PO Box 11462,
Dublin 2,
Ireland

Competition now closed.

  1. Entries should consist of a short story that has not been previously published or broadcast in any form.
  2. There is no word limit.
  3. All entries must be typewritten in English. (Minimum line spacing 1.5, use one side of page only.)
  4. The story should not have previously won, or be currently entered into, any other competition.
  5. The competition is open to anyone who is a citizen of, or normally resident in, the island of Ireland.
  6. Entries are limited to ONE STORY per entrant.
  7. All entries must be anonymous and should be accompanied by an entry form (download link is above). The author’s identity must appear only on the entry form, and nowhere on the manuscript.
  8. A €10 fee must accompany the entry. (Cheques/postal orders are to be made payable to The Stinging Fly. The fee can also be paid online above.)
  9. No employee of The Stinging Fly, of Davy Byrnes, or of The Irish Times is eligible to enter. (Freelance contributors to The Stinging Fly or The Irish Times are not excluded under this rule.)
  10. All entries must be received (or postmarked) on or before Monday, February 2nd, 2009.
  11. Please keep a copy of your story, as no entries can be returned. No correspondence will be entered into once work has been submitted. Stories cannot be altered or changed after they have been entered.
  12. While copyright remains with the author, the six winning stories may be published or broadcast at the discretion of the organisers during 2009.
  13. The judge’s verdict is final. If in the judge’s opinion entries do not achieve a high enough standard, no prizewinners will be chosen.
  14. Prizewinners will be personally notified by Friday, May 29th 2009.
  15. Entry in the competition will be deemed to be acceptance of these rules.