Ink, Grit and a Shot at Glory

 

Ink, Grit and a Shot at Glory

The Gerald Griffin Competition for First Original Adult Fiction

By Kieran Beville

 

            There’s an unmistakable buzz running through Ireland’s literary scene — and it’s coming from Limerick – from a competition that’s quickly becoming a proving ground for bold, fresh voices in fiction: the Gerald Griffin literary competition, now in its second year and gaining serious momentum.

The winner of the 2025 competition will be announced on Thursday 18th Sept 6.30pm in An Driaocht Gallery in Adare. Guest readers and musicians will be included. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. The winning manuscript will be published in Oct/Nov by the Limerick Writers’ Centre.

The competition honours Gerald Griffin (1803–1840), the Limerick-born novelist, poet and dramatist whose works captured the complexities of 19th-century Irish life with honesty and emotional depth. Griffin’s legacy is one of unflinching storytelling — a spirit that this prize seeks to embody by encouraging bold, uncompromising fiction.

Griffin wasn’t afraid to tackle difficult themes. He wrote stories that confronted society, identity, and morality in ways that still resonate today. Griffin’s most famous novel, The Collegians, was a gritty portrayal of Irish rural life that inspired many theatrical adaptations. The prize’s name is both tribute and challenge: to write without compromise, to speak truth to power, and to tell stories that matter. Gerald Griffin lived for a time with his brother in Adare and is also the author of the acclaimed poem ‘O Sweet Adare’.

Portrait of Gerald Griffin by Richard Rothwell (1800-1868) 

The competition was the brainchild of local poet and author Ciaran O’Driscoll and is run and organised by  the Limerick Writers’ Centre (LWC), the prize offers emerging novelists a rare opportunity: to take their first steps from manuscript fragment to published book — with support, mentorship, and a platform that’s more about substance than spectacle.

Clear, Simple, but Powerful

The competition’s aim is to cut through the noise and spotlight authentic storytelling from a wide range of voices. Writers, of any nationality or residency, were invited to submit a 1,500 to 2,000 word extract from an unpublished adult fiction manuscript, within the call-out window. Ten writers were then invited to an intensive month-long development workshop in February led by novelist, memoirist and poet, Ciaran O’Driscoll, who guided participants in refining their narrative voice and expanding their openings into fuller, richer texts. The workshop offered more than craft critique, the writers were challenged to dig into their characters’ truths and sharpen their thematic focus. It became a crucible where raw talent was tempered into refined, compelling narrative.

From Manuscript to Publication

After the workshop, six finalists moved on to complete full manuscripts of at least 30,000 words over the following months. These completed works are now with the judges, Ciaran O’Driscoll and Kerry Beth Neville, who will select the winner to be published by the LWC’s small but dedicated press, accompanied by a launch event in Limerick later this year.

This prize is not just about a cash award or a certificate — it’s a real career springboard, combining editorial support, community, and visibility. “It’s about creating a path,” says Dominic Taylor, director of the LWC. “We want to give writers not just a prize, but a real chance to develop their work and reach readers.”

Finalists receive one-on-one editorial feedback, public reading opportunities, and access to LWC’s growing network of literary professionals — vital stepping stones in a notoriously difficult industry.

Honouring Gerald Griffin

As mentioned earlier the competition is named after one of Limerick’s most illustrious writers Gerald Griffin (1803-1840). Novelist, poet and playwright he was the author of The Collegians, which was based on the gripping story of The Colleen Bawn, involving the murder of a young Irish Catholic girl (Ellen Hanley) by a Protestant Anglo-Irish man (John Scanlon). The book later became a literary sensation and inspired a stage play, a musical adaptation and a silent movie Lily of Killarney. Griffin’s novel, which transposed its setting from Limerick to

            Scene from the 1929 film Lily of Killarney inspired by Gerald Griffin’s The Collegians.
Killarney, played a pivotal role in propelling the Killarney tourist industry. Interestingly, the book was cherished by none other than the American poet Walt Whitman.  

Looking Back and Ahead

Last year’s winner, Freyja Hellebust set a high standard with her novella Head First, From a Height, a coming of age work that earned praise from critics and readers alike. Her success has inspired other hopefuls to take the plunge in this year’s competition.

Hellebust’s, from Kinsale, Co Cork, launch event in Kinsale drew a packed crowd and critical acclaim, transforming what was once an unknown manuscript into a must-read for contemporary Irish fiction fans.

Building a Literary Community

Beyond the prize itself, the LWC fosters an ongoing network of writers, offering readings, mentorship, and opportunities to develop their craft beyond the competition cycle. Plans to expand the programme in the coming years aim to make the Gerald Griffin Prize not just a contest, but a catalyst for sustained literary growth. Winning isn’t the end — it’s the start. LWC is building a community where writers support each other and grow together.

Why It Matters

In a publishing world often dominated by established names and market trends, the Gerald Griffin Competition offers an important alternative: a place where new voices are nurtured and celebrated for their originality and courage.

For the writers taking part, it’s more than just a prize. It’s a chance to be heard, to grow, and to step confidently into the literary landscape.

And in a city with a rich tradition of storytelling, that chance couldn’t come at a better time. Somewhere, today, a writer is finishing a chapter. They don’t know if it’s good, but they’re writing anyway. And next year, they might just submit it to the Gerald Griffin Competition. And if they do — Limerick will be ready to listen.

The Judges

The competition’s prestige is highlighted by its judges, Ciaran O’Driscoll who lives in Limerick and is a member of Aosdána.  He has published ten books of poetry, the most recent being Angel Hour (2021), a childhood memoir titled A Runner Among Falling Leaves (2001), and two novels A Year’s Midnight (2012), and The Golden Ass (2024). And Kerry Beth Neville, an accomplished author of two short story collections: Necessary Lies—winner of the G. S. Sharat Chandra Prize—and Remember to Forget Me. Her work has appeared in renowned publications like The Gettysburg Review, Epoch, and The Washington Post, and has been recognized in Best American Short Stories and Best American Essays. A former Fulbright Fellow at the University of Limerick, Neville now serves as Associate Professor and coordinator of the MFA and undergraduate creative writing programmes at Georgia College and State University. Her memoir, Momma May be Mad, is set to be published in October 2025.

For more info — or to prepare your entry for the 2026 cycle — visit limerickwriterscentre.com