Deadline looms for June Fest short story competition

With just one week remaining until the submission deadline on 7 April, writers should finalise their entries for the Newbridge June Fest National Short Story Competition. 

Participants should submit a 2,000-word story for a chance to win writer-specific prizes. The winner will receive a week’s residency at the renowned Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annamakerrig, Monaghan, while the second prize offers a workshop of the winner’s choice with the Kildare Writing Centre. 

Entries will be judged by writer John MacKenna, whose latest book is The Lock-Keeper’s Wife. 

With the bank holiday weekend approaching, writers are encouraged to complete their final edits to ensure their submissions are ready on time.

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How good are your banana desserts?

Banana importers Fyffes has issued an invitation to mums, dads and children to join in a search to find Ireland’s ‘Best Banana Dessert’ creation.

Fronting the search to find this year’s winning creations is Ireland’s well-known television cook, Donal Skehan, whose programmes are a favourite amongst viewers and wannabe cooks. The popular presenter hopes to repeat the success of last year, when his task was to judge Ireland’s most creative banana bread bakers.

Rewards will go to the overall winner and best junior baker with recognition for originality in a number of other areas. Entries are open from 14th–19th April, with winners announced on National Banana Day itself, 21st April, an initiative devised to support the national drive to encourage healthy eating, especially amongst young and growing children.

Details and entries online at Facebook –  and Instagram –  using #FyffesGBBO21.

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Last chance for entry to EyeZone competition for children's clubs

This is a final reminder that through local EyeZone optometrist Nichola Kennedy, a Kilcullen children's club could win up to €2,000 in sponsored equipment, writes Brian Byrne.

And the club member who enters them could win an iPad.

It's a national competition where First Prize is €2,000 in sponsored equipment and the iPad for the entrant. Second Prize is €1,000 in sponsored equipment and an iPad Mini for the entrant. Third Prize is €500 in sponsored equipment and an iPod Touch.

Running from October 1-November 30 2013, the competition is open to local children’s clubs and teams up to 18 years of age. The clubs entering can include soccer, GAA football, hurling, rugby, cycling, swimming, cricket and other local team events.

The club's entry must be a team activity organised for under 18s, though can include large clubs with multi-age groups over 18 as long as the prize is directed to the under 18s groups.

This competition is not for individuals, but to demonstrate the hard work of the team member who enters the team, the entry is incentivised by adding an individual prize of the iPad.

Entry to the competition can be done by calling into Nichola Kennedy Optometrist Kilcullen and filling in an entry form, or by going online at www.eyezone.ie/winlocal.

This campaign is all about supporting local, starting with your local EyeZone Optician.