Eleven-year-old Darragh O’Keeffe from Claregalway is runner-up of the national Specsavers Irish Book Awards short story competition. The Galway native entered the competition with his enchanting story and has been awarded the runner up prize, a collection of popular Irish children’s books, including Paddy Donnelly’s The Golden Hare and Oliver Jeffers’ Where to Hide a Star.
This year’s short story prompt was ‘The carnival had come to town, a buzz of colour and noise. But there was one stall, tucked away in the corner, that was different. It was completely silent, and the sign above it read ‘See Your Dreams – One Euro Only’. I knew what to do…’ and Darragh’s creative story, titled The Pathway to My Dream, impressed the judges, who felt he had a bright future as a budding author.
Darragh’s prize included a copy of each of the shortlisted books from the Irish Books Awards children’s category. The hamper featured some of Ireland’s bestselling titles including Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune, Beanie the Bansheenie, and The Great Discovery.
For more information on Specsavers Galway visit https://www.specsavers.ie/stores/galway.
