The Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival’s non-fiction competition is now open for submissions.
A large response is expected as the competition has grown exponentially year-on-year. The competition is attracting interested writers from all parts of the country.
Cathedral Quarter spokesperson, Donnan Harvey said: “ It might be a cliché, but from little acorns grow big oak trees, and Letterkenny’s Literary Festival is now really taking off from what were very modest beginnings. It’s something we are very proud of.“
“As regular festival goers will know, we in Donegal have many connections with great literary figures, from Jane Austen to Brendan Behan, and other famous writers. And of course we have massive connections with our own home grown talent: Brian Friel, Patrick MacGill, William Allingham.”
“But what we want to do is provide a forum for current Irish writers to have their work brought to a wider audience. We know there is a lot of talent out there and we want to foster it and develop it. Who knows…maybe there is another Jane Austen, Brian Friel or Brendan Behan out there!”
Donnan confirmed that this year five shortlisted writers will be invited to read their entries at the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival which will run from the 16th – 19th October. And the winners will be announced at the event.
The Competition will be judged by Denise Blake who is a poet, writer and creative writing facilitator. She is a regular contributor to Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1. Her work is included in seven Sunday Miscellany anthologies.
Without funding the Festival would not be possible to stage so the Cathedral Quarter wishes to publicly thank Brennans Pharmacy Letterkenny and Donegal ETB for sponsoring the main prizes.
The winner will receive €150 and runner-up €100.
Organisers also thank sponsors for highly commended awards – Universal Books, Himalayan Café and Peter Mark Hairdressing Letterkenny.
The closing date for entries is 29th August 2025. Results will be announced by the end of September.
For those contemplating submitting work the follow guidelines come into play
- The submission must be the author’s own unpublished work – this includes, print, online or broadcast. Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us to withdraw from the competition if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- Non-Fiction entries may be on a topic of your choice: e.g. memoir, travel, nature, historical or literary, reflections on past or present events, personal experiences, or another theme.
- Entry is free. Entrants must be over 18 and from the island of Ireland. Entries to be in English, or Irish with a translation.
- You may submit one entry per person. Maximum word count is 400 words excluding title. Entries should be typed in a clear 12pt font and double spaced.
- Ensure that your name does not appear on the work. In the body of the email, please include contact details e.g. name, county and telephone number.
- Five shortlisted entrants will be expected to read at the Prize Winners’ Evening in October 2025, please consider this factor when entering.
- Copyright remains with the author.
- Entry to the competition implies acceptance of the rules. The judge’s decision is final.
- Submit your entry as a Word document by email to lkcqfest@gmail.com by the closing date of 29th August 2025.
