Final call for children in Carlow to take part in short story competition with cash prize

Specsavers Carlow is issuing a final call for young authors to take part in their nationwide short story competition.

This exciting initiative, celebrating Specsavers’ sponsorship of the Junior and Senior Children's Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025, is rapidly approaching its closing date.

Every child has a unique voice and a story waiting to be told, and this is a wonderful opportunity to share it!

"We can't wait to see the imagination and talent that shines through – it's a chance for them to inspire us all, and perhaps even win some fantastic prizes for their school!," Specsavers said.

Winners in both the junior and senior categories will secure €500 for their school library, plus a collection of all titles shortlisted in the Specsavers Irish Children’s Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025.

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To enter Specsavers’ competition, simply submit a short story, no longer than 500 words, inspired by the prompt below:

‘I looked around my new classroom, at the letters, the map, and numbers on the wall - then I saw it, the teacher’s secret cupboard tucked away behind my desk. There was a weird noise coming from it, so slipped off my chair and went to investigate…’

Remember, the final closing date for all entries is Wednesday 7th January 2026.

All entries should be posted to:

Specsavers Short Story Competition,c/o WHPR, 6 Ely Place, Dublin 2.

or submit online at www.specsavers.ie/irish-book-awards.