I’m delighted to say that I’ll be appearing at the Wild Atlantic Words Literary Festival in Castlebar this October, where I’ll be reading one of my short stories as a finalist in this year’s Wild Atlantic Words Short Story Competition.
The competition was judged this year by Colin Barrett, which makes reaching the final particularly special for me. Barrett grew up in County Mayo and has become one of the most recognised contemporary Irish short story writers. His debut collection, Young Skins, won the Guardian First Book Award, the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award and the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. One of its stories, Calm with Horses, was later adapted into the acclaimed film starring Barry Keoghan and Cosmo Jarvis. His debut novel, Wild Houses, was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2024.
So, yes, knowing he read my work and thought enough of it to put it into the final is something I’m fairly proud of.
I’ll be reading the story at the Short Story Reading & Prize-Giving on Saturday, 10 October, in the Festival Dome in Castlebar.
There is always something slightly terrifying about taking a story that has existed quietly on a page and giving it a voice in front of a room full of people, but I’m looking forward to it.
More than anything, I’m grateful that the story found its way to the final and that I’ll get the chance to stand up and read it.
If you’re around Castlebar for Wild Atlantic Words, come along and say hello. I’ll be very happy to chat to anyone who comes along, whether it’s about the story, writing, books, or just to have a bit of a natter after the reading.
September 27, 2026
Reading at Wild Atlantic Words 2026