July winners 2024 – adults

Congratulations to the winners of our July competition.

Feeling inspired? Have a go at this month's prompt.

Adult writers winner

Helen Smith

danny wore the jacket every day for a month after grandpa died.

it smelled of him, old spice and boiled mince and cigars.

in the pockets, danny jangled the change the way grandpa did.

grandpa was in the churchyard now, but this jacket, on danny’s young shoulders, held his life.

Gaelic winner

Victoria NicÌomhair

Seòladair ... Chan e... Ach... Spùinneadair. Sin e! Cho àrd ri seòl-chrann, falt is feusag mhosach le aon sùil gheur agus aodach salach, robach. Aidh, is claidheamh cunnartach na làimh. Shlaod e air seacaid-teasairginn bheag agus sheas e stolda fhad ’s a cheangail Mamaidh na strapagan. Dàna-thuras ùr aig an tràigh a’ feitheamh air.

Translation by The Gaelic Books Council

A sailor… No… A pirate. That’s it! As tall as a mast, straggly hair and beard, one beady eye and dirty, ragged clothing. Aye, and a dangerous sword in his hand. He pulled on a small lifejacket and stood still while Mammy tied the straps. A new adventure at the beach awaited him.