Oliver among the winners appearing in new anthology
THE ninth Ireland’s Own Anthology of short stories and memoirs includes 39 pieces from the latest annual writing competitions run by the family magazine. The winning pieces were selected from over 500 entries, and 18 counties are represented – including Wicklow – with stories also from England and Italy.
Among the names to grace the pages is that of Oliver Deegan from Dunloe House, Grangecon. One of the main prizewinners, Oliver has had his first big win in the competitive Beginners’ Section with his humorous story, A Tailor-Made Solution. It tells how tailor Tom
O’Leary is caught on the horns of a dilemma; he has pawned a customer’s suit to bet on his ‘sure-thing’ greyhound which flops and now he awaits with trepidation the arrival of the large and intimidating farmer to claim his suit.
Oliver was born in Ballymore Eustace in 1953. He joined the ESB in 1972 and is today an ESB pensioner. He took up writing as a hobby on retirement and writes monthly articles for local newsletter the BME Bugle. He is married to Caroline and they have seven children and three grandchildren.
The Anthology foreword is by Rachael English, one of the presenters on RTE Radio’s Morning Ireland. She is also the author of four successful novels. Rachel spent many years away from writing after leaving school only to make a very successful return in recent years and is an in- spiration to all aspiring authors.
‘I’m genuinely delighted to play a small part in the Ireland’s Own anthology,’ said Rachel. ‘In a country of writers and storytellers, Ireland’s Own has long played an important role. It celebrates storytellers and offers a window into the lives of others. Long may it continue to do so.’
Other stories and memoirs in the anthology touch on many aspects of Irish life, past and present, with joyful themes interspersed with stories of bereavement and emigration, told with pathos, nostalgia and often a dash of humour. The diverse memoirs cover many topics and recall some great characters and will certainly strike a chord with many readers.
Some of the writers have featured in previous volumes, but for the first timers, such as Oliver Deegan, this book may represent a small but significant step on the road to a literary adventure.
Ireland’s Own family magazine has been published in Wexford by People Newspapers without interruption since November 1902. One of its aims has always been to encourage writing among its readership and its competitions and anthologies are a key part of that policy. The previous eight volumes have been very well received.
The book is published by Three Sister Press and is compiled and edited by former Ireland’s Own editor, Phil Murphy. It is available in local bookshops and Gill Distributors at €14.95, or online at www.irelandsown.ie.