Kildare writers tops in Ireland's Own 2021 Anthology

Martin Malone, Mae Leonard and Joe Connolly feature in the Anthology; not pictured are Tony McHale and Helen O'Leary.

Five Kildare writers feature in the 2021 Ireland's Own Anthology of Short Stories and Memoirs, making Kildare the leading county represented in the publication with six contributions between them, writes Brian Byrne. They are Martin Malone, Mae Leonard. Tony McHale, Joe Connolly and Helen O'Leary.

It's the 12th edition of the Anthology, which is compiled and edited by Phil Murphy, and contains 40 contributions from almost 500 participants in the Ireland's Own writing competitions.

Martin Malone from Kilmead, Athy, has two pieces in the publication — a short story Split Decision about having to make a choice on who to save in a drowning tragedy, and a memoir In Circles of how ended up teaching English to refugees after his Army career.

Mae Leonard from Naas has a story My Father Was a Carpenter, about a young girl telling the nuns and her First Communion Class about a gory row at home.

Helen O'Leary, also from Naas, has a short story Bluebells for Love, about a girl wondering about her mother's attitude to her teacher.

Newbridge writer Joe Connolly's contribution is a memoir on Our School Harmonica Band, and it's his third time in the Anthology.

And Tony McHale from Leixlip contributed a story about a special night when old friends meet up for their regular Friday night pub session, Time Gentlemen Please!.

Phil Murphy was Editor of Ireland's Own for almost two decades before retirement, and says the popularity of the Anthology continues to grow. He notes that successful entries this year are from 18 Irish counties, from Britain and from Brussels. "Quite a few regulars are again included," he says, "but others are being published in a book for the first time and their appearance in this volume will certainly mean a great deal to them, in particular."

Ireland’s Own has been published without a break since November 1902 and is still thriving at a time when much of the print media is finding life difficult.

The  Anthology is available for €14.99 online at www.irelandsown.ie or by contacting Ireland's Own at Channing House, Rowe Street, Wexford. Email: info@irelandsown.ie; Tel: +353 53 9140140.

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