Leitrim Scholar makes shortlist for JP McManus All Ireland Scholarships Competition

A Leitrim woman has been shortlisted for the final of the JP McManus 2022 All Ireland Scholarships Alumni Association Creative Writing Competition on Tuesday, 1st March. 

Romana Semler from Carrick-on-Shannon selected as one of eight finalists for €1,000 and €500 prizes.

Romana, who won the Scholarship in 2011 and went on to study at National University of Ireland, Galway, submitted a short story to enter the Competition which was open to all 1,500 members of the Association.   

The competition began in October, featured a virtual Creative Writing Workshop hosted by the judges in November and closed for entries on 9th January for the shortlisting process which was announced this week.  

Listed below in alphabetical order are the eight All Ireland Scholars, whose submissions have been chosen for the final: 

Aida Izydorczyk, 2015 Scholarship recipient, from Roscrea, Co. Tipperary 

Claire O’Brien, 2010 Scholarship recipient, from Ballincollig, Co. Cork 

Emma Corcoran, 2011 Scholarship recipient, from Ferbane, Co. Offaly 

James John O’Connor, 2019 Scholarship recipient, from Newtownforbes, Co. Longford 

Joanne Byrne, 2013 Scholarship recipient, from Gorey, Co. Wexford 

Katie Lockhart, 2015 Scholarship recipient, from Lisburn, Co. Antrim 

Romana Semler, 2011 Scholarship recipient, from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim 

Sinead Greenan, 2010 Scholarship recipient, from Cootehill, Co. Cavan 

Entrants could submit up to three stories of 2,000 words or less each in fiction and non-fiction categories based on any theme or subject matter. Non-fiction pieces such as a memoir, autofiction and bio-fiction were also welcome.  

The judging panel, chaired by Professor Sarah Moore Fitzgerald of University of Limerick (UL), includes Ireland’s first Prix Jean Monnet winner, Donal Ryan, acclaimed writer Kerri ní Dochartaigh and poet Alice Kinsella, the 2021 competition winner. 

Author of six novels and Professor of Teaching and Learning at UL, Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, said: “This competition uncovers and celebrates exceptional creative talent among AIS alumni. I’m delighted to be involved; working with a panel of among Ireland’s leading writers to discover more creative voices and stories.” 

Prix Jean Monnet and multi-award-winning author, Donal Ryan, said: “The written word is one of the greatest ways we have of sharing human experience with one another. Whether fact or fiction, creative writing shines a light on something that might otherwise go unnoticed.” 

The overall winner and three runners-up will be announced on Tuesday, 1st March 2022.