Swift Satire Festival, Trim 2014

The 2014 Swift Satire Festival draws to a close. A slimmer version, but hugely enjoyable. Well done to all involved.

Congratulations to the winner of the Battle of the Books competition winner, Angela Finn from Dublin. The ten shortlisted entries were read last night and the judge, Niamh Boyce, commented on each and announced the winner. Niamh and Angela pictured above.

The ten shortlisted authors were Caroline Carey Finn, Meath, Kate Ennals, Cavan, Darragh McManus, Clare, Emma Mascarenhas, UK, Peter Goulding, Dublin, Briony Hey, London, Karen O’Connor, Tralee,
Caroline Bracken, Wicklow, Angela Finn,  Dublin and Mark Doyle, Navan.

Angela Finn has had some of her writing published in the Irish Independent’s Hennessy Irish Writing Today magazine, New Planet Cabaret anthology, RTE TEN website (Penguin short story 2012) and Fish Anthology 2013. She was short-listed in 2012 for the RTE Francis MacManus competition.

There were two extra judges, Peter Higgins and myself, (above) whose irrelevant and irreverent comments on the entries were designed to confuse rather than to assist the audience in their vote for their favourite entry. One of my choices, Mark Doyle's entry, was chosen as the audience prize winner.

The Kevin Higgins reading and open mic was held in the open air at the Old Rectory, Trim. This was well appreciate by the attendance. Kevin's read from his latest poetry collection and said that he has chosen those which most seemed in keeping with the savage satiric spirit of Swift. The audience loved them.

More photographs here on Facebook.
The Festival website.
Kevin Higgins' blog and his Facebook page.
Blogs by shortlisted author, Kate Ennels and and by competition judge, Niamh Boyce.