Longford Library Services launch innovative Padraic Colum Competition

Writers, authors, and illustrators invited to provide a contemporary 'take' on acclaimed County Longford writer

Press Release: Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Longford County Library, Archives, Arts and Heritage Services has announced details of a new competition 'Colum for Our Time', in the lead up to the Padraic Colum Gathering which takes place this October. The competition is aimed at writers, artists or illustrators in both junior and senior categories. Writers are invited to produce a contemporary 'take' on Padraic Colum's story 'The First Harp' from his collection 'The Big Tree of Bunlahy' while artists are invited to create new illustrations for the story. The project is funded by contributions from both Longford and Granard Municipal Districts. 

‘The Big Tree of Bunlahy’ is a children’s short story collection consisting of thirteen stories. The title comes from a famous landmark in the village of Bunlahy, where Colum’s Aunt Anne lived. The story selected for re-telling is ‘The First Harp’ which recounts the tale of a husband and a wife finding music through nature, and the invention of the first harp. 

The winning authors and illustrators in both age categories will have their works published in a book which will be launched at the 2026 Granard Booktown Festival.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Garry Murtagh, welcomed the competition saying, “This is a fantastic opportunity for writers and artists to re-imagine the work of one of our great Longford writers, Padraic Colum. I encourage as many writers, artists and illustrators as possible to enter both categories.”

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, “This is an important initiative to help to give Padraic Colum’s work a much broader appeal. He was an important children’s author, and this innovative project will help to create a new audience for him throughout his native county.”

The junior category invites entries from 12-17 years and the senior category invites entries from those aged over 18 years. The winners will receive €250 each and they will be presented with their prizes at the Padraic Colum Gathering in Granard Community Library on 4 October.

Entries should be submitted by email to libraryhqteam@longfordcoco.ie by midnight on 31 August. For more information, or to request the project brief, application form and a copy of the short story, please email libraryhqteam@longfordcoco.ie or call 043-3341124.