Kildare writer wins international award

WRITER Jane Gormley, who lives on a farm in Allenwood, has been named winner of the prestigious international ‘Wild Atlantic Writing Awards’ (WAWA). 

In doing so, Jane edged out several hundred competitors from many countries including New Zealand, the United States, Australia and Canada.

Jane’s story, entitled ‘Mother (Mathair),’ won first prize in the creative nonfiction fiction category of the competition organised by ‘Ireland Writing Retreat,’ literary group established more than 10 years ago which organises week-long retreats in west Donegal, Belfast and the south of France.

The competition’s theme was ‘Power’ and Jane’s story took place in a maternity wing of a hospital and focused on a woman who had just given birth.

Hearing the good news, the 46-year-old mother of two daughters who has worked in recruitment and as an events manager, said: “I couldn't believe it. It's my first writing win, so I'm really happy. 

My first book is due later this year, so the timing of this has really made me more comfortable and confident too.” 

From humble beginnings in a straw shed in Kildare, following a horribly isolating pandemic, Jane Gormley began Craicly Stories - a community story project that brings folklore to life and neighbours together.

"When we started in the straw shed - when I say straw shed, it's literally a shed with a bit of straw - everyone loved it,” said Jane.

“It was really primitive. It became apparent in that first one that stories are important, but the other character was the place."

Starting with a small group of story-starved friends looking for an unusual party, the events started as a means to meet up with locals and have a bit of craic.

"I didn't know if it would be enjoyable or just really tragic and awkward," she laughed "but thankfully it worked."

Before the pandemic, the now 46-year-old worked in recruitment and had no experience in storytelling or live performance.

When she had children, though, she began to notice the rise of online communication and the loss of oral storytelling.

"Stories, for me, are the most comforting things in the world," she said, reflecting on why she looked for traditional solutions to modern problems.

"There were a couple of motivations around that time, after Covid."