DCU Creative Writing Student wins Prestigious Short Story Prize

Huge congratulations to Angela Lyons, student on the MA in Creative Writing, who has won the prestigious Bryan MacMahon Short Story Competition at Listowel Writers’ Week.

Enrolled at DCU since September 2018, Angela is among a talented cohort of emerging writers based at the All Hallows campus.

Angela has been recognised for her short story, "Grace", which she wrote in the fiction workshop as part of her MA. “Grace” is about a little girl with autism and sees the world in a unique way. Told from her perspective, it is an examination of how some people can disappear from society because they are different. The Bryan MacMahon Award rewards excellence in new short fiction, and is one of the most prestigious prizes at the Listowel festival. Due to ongoing Covid 19 restrictions, this year’s festival was celebrated and marked with a special digital Awards Ceremony.

Originally from Bandon, Co. Cork but living in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath for many years, Angela is a primary school teacher, and has had a lifelong passion for writing. She has been shortlisted for a number of awards but the Bryan MacMahon Award is her first overall win.

‘Being part of the M.A. programme in DCU has given me the confidence to get my work out there’ Angela said.

‘The feeling of encouragement and solidarity you get from the tutors and other writers is amazing. I feel I have found my 'voice' on this course.’

After graduating with her Master’s from DCU, Angela plans to complete her first collection of short stories, centred on the theme of 'difference'.

Dr Darran McCann, Chair of the MA in Creative Writing, said: ‘We’re so incredibly proud of Angela’s achievement in winning the prestigious short story prize at Listowel Writers’ Week. It’s richly-deserved recognition for a superb writer.’

‘It’s also another feather-in-the-cap for Creative Writing here at DCU, after earlier successes for students such as Madge O’Callaghan and Carol Byrne.'

‘Angela is part of our very first MA Creative Writing cohort. The success our students are already having in the literary world is a thrilling endorsement of what we’re doing here on the All Hallows campus.’

Congratulations Angela!