The 5th Annual Drumshanbo Written Word Poetry Film Competition is open for entries from 1st April on FilmFreeway. Shortlisted films will be shown at the Methodist Hall, Drumshanbo, on Friday, 21st Aug 2026, as part of the Drumshanbo Written Word Festival Opening Ceremony.

1st Prize €500 

The Judge this year is Csilla Toldy (Hungarian Poet and Film-maker).

Appearing in the Irish Independent on the last Saturday of each month, New Irish Writing is an opportunity open to writers who are Irish or resident of Ireland.

Stories submitted should not exceed 2,000 words. Up to four poems may be submitted. There is no entry fee. Writers whose work is selected will receive €120 for fiction and €60 for poetry. You can email your entry, preferably as a Word document, to newirishwriting@independent.ie.

Please make sure to include your name, address and contact number, as well as a brief biographical paragraph. Only writers who have yet to publish their first book can be considered.