Dublin writer wins Waterford's Molly Keane Creative Writing Award

Dublin writer Kieran Marsh has been named the winner of the 2026 Molly Keane Creative Writing Award for his short story The Singers.

The national award, organised by Waterford City and County Council’s Arts Office with the permission of the Keane family, is now in its 29th year.

Marsh has been writing fiction for more than 20 years and has previously had his work featured on RTÉ’s Arena, as well as in The Irish Times, Irish Independent and New Irish Writing.

His short stories have also enjoyed success in a number of writing competitions. He received a special mention in the RTÉ Short Story Competition and has been recognised in the Fish and Bath short story competitions, among others.

His work has appeared twice in New Irish Writing, with his writing also earning him a place on the shortlist for this year's An Post Irish Short Story of the Year Award.

Marsh has also written two novels. His first received recognition in several competitions and an honorary mention in the Novel Fair.

His current novel-in-progress explores the relationship between poverty and the middle classes, as well as the impact of drug gang violence on innocent victims and their families.

Waterford City and County Council Arts Officer Margaret Organ congratulated Marsh on his success and said the number of submissions received from around Ireland demonstrated the strength of writing nationally.

She also thanked everyone who entered this year's competition.

The Singers became the 29th work to win the Molly Keane Creative Writing Award, with Marsh's success announced as part of Waterford's Culture Night celebrations.

The winning story is available to listen to through the Waterford Arts website.