Looking forward to it Mike!

'So, get outdoors. Shop locally. Talk to your neighbours. Talk to strangers. Give something back to your community. Read newspapers, watch TV news, listen to news podcasts, and question every single thing you’re told. Take public transport. Bake bread.' So wonderfully put @fhayesmccoy.bsky.social

Congratulations Wendy! Great news.

Ah thanks Donovan, very kind of you to say.

Wishing you the best of luck Niamh.

Wishing you the best of luck Mike.

Chester Himes – A Rage in Harlem

Love the last point Ronan – 'Negative feedback is a certainty and ultimately vaccinates you against trying to please everyone'. Will remember that.

Happy birthday Rónán!

"They can transport you from the darkest places..."

We loved speaking with Pádhraic Quinn after his win at this year's awards. For his short story "All The Birch Trees Were Waving", he took the award for New Irish Writing Best Short Story, in association with the @independent.ie.

Brilliant news!

Ah thanks Elaine.

Thank you!

This looks fantastic Helen. I'll try to come along.

Huge congratulations to Mick and all the team. Such an achievement. Heartening and inspiring in equal measure.

Congratulations Elaine!

Over the moon to win New Irish Writing Best Short Story at the 2025 Irish Book Awards.

A huge thank you to Ciaran Carty, Eoin McNamee, @independent.ie & @irishbookawards.bsky.social

Thanks Scott!

Thanks Róisín!

Some great work there David. Congratulations.

Delighted to win New Irish Writing Best Short Story at the 2025 Irish Book Awards.

A huge thank you to Ciaran Carty, Eoin McNamee & @irishbookawards.bsky.social

The WINNER of the 2025 New Irish Writing Best Short Story, in association with the Irish Independent is...

"All The Birch Trees Were Waving", Pádhraic Quinn

#APIBA #StoriesMakeUs

*analysis

This is great Emma – particularly your use and analyses of 'double-consciousness'

Ah this is superb.

Great list Ian – particularly like Danielle McLaughlin's 'A Partial List of the Saved'.

Some great choices by @iancritchley.bsky.social

A vital and stunning piece of work by Aoife Kelleher. Hope as many people can get out to see it as possible.

Fantastic – looking forward to both.

New Irish Writing: All the Birch Trees Were Waving by Pádhraic Quinn You were standing in the magnolia light that came through the closed kitchen window. You were holding a cup of coffee close to your chin and wearing a bracelet with blue beads. The flat was silent aro...

Delighted to see my short story 'all the birch trees were waving' in today's Irish Independent as the December feature of New Irish Writing. Big thank you to Ciaran Carty and to @irishindependent.bsky.social
#fiction #books #shortstories
m.independent.ie/entertainmen...