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Saturday, June 25, 2011

Galway triumphant in Swift Satire



It was a Galway one-two in the final of the Boyne Writers Swift Satire competition with Elizabeth Power and the redoubtable Maureen Gallagher coming in first and second respectively. An observer more churlish than I would suggest it is only fitting as Galway are unlikely to win anything else this year. And Margaret Costello from Drogheda took third spot, which means the men were well and truly gazumped. Full results here


Judge Donal Kelly commented that "tight, spare, writing and lightness of touch lifted the winning entry clear of the pack. In contrast, many of the others made heavy weather in referencing the faults of builders, bankers and politicians. Four years into the recession it was all a bit passe. The exception was the runner-up who showed imagination and humour and gave us a neat Swiftian ending."


As for myself, I can't pretend I'm not a tad disappointed. I thought my effort was one of the best I'd written for a long time and incorporated all the clever rhymes and elements of farce that Swift embodied. And I never mentioned builders, bankers or politicians! But it obviously wasn't quite good enough. Back to the drawing board!


At least I can console myself with the fact that for once Sean Lyons never whupped my ass...

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