Newmarket-on-Fergus resident Sorcha Uí Dhonaile has scooped her seventh prize at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge Literary Awards.

Sorcha, who originally hails from Donegal but who now lives in Newmarket-on-Fergus, was awarded her prize for Agallamh Beirte (Duologue) sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta, with Chelsea agus Áine sa Choláiste Samhraidh.
Sorcha, 72, has enjoyed great success in the past for her dialogue writings, which are largely inspired by her grandchildren.
She admits that writing for children gives her more satisfaction but it is a challenge to choose “cool” enough topics to discuss. Her prize-winning dialogue this year related to two girls attending Irish college, one who was moaning about it with the other one being sensible and telling the other to “cop on”.
Previously, Sorcha wrote dialogues about Goths and reveals that she likes to pick a theme that suits her grandchildren and their age group.
“I didn’t expect to win a prize this year, in fact my grandchildren were telling me my theme was not cool enough this year,” she explained.
The competition is currently in its 112th year. Among the previous winners are some of Ireland’s most celebrated authors including Pádraig Mac Piarais, Máirtín Ó Cadhain and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.