Lost Childhood – Flash Fiction at the AE Festival Lineup

At first, it seems a bleak theme – Lost Childhood – but it brought in a record number of entries for the Flash Fiction Armagh at the AE Festival event happening on 1st April 2023 in Aonach Mhacha. These spellbinding stories covered a huge range: disappointment, betrayal, bereavement, perspective, trauma, courage and a yearning for the people we once were and might yet be. Ultimately what emerges is the story of how we connect as humans through our vulnerability, tenderness and compassion.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but what I will say is that you will be amazed, moved and motivated by the talent that we are honoured to present at this next Flash Fiction Armagh event. In no particular order…

Rosemary Tumilty, Ode to a Mother

Mary Cunningham, Hope

Janet Devlin, The Red Anorak

C Mc Clean, Little Secrets Everywhere

Sharon Greene, You Are Going To Have To

Maura Johnston,  Pinched

Marion Mc Dowell, Take That, Come Free

Nigel Kelly, Stones

Charlotte Rea-Patel, Reuben

Kerry Tinman, The Longest Break Up

Cathy Carson, Copper Pennies

David Braziel, Time Out

Reserve readers are Fáinche Deeney, Doreen Duffy and Emma Gibson

There were many stories that we loved but couldn’t include. We’d like writers who submitted to know that even if your story wasn’t selected, it is valued and the work you put into it is appreciated. Thank you for sending it in and letting us read it.

Tickets (£7) are already selling fast and you can find them online here.

Date: 1st April 2023

Time: 8 pm.

Venue: Aonach Mhacha, the Shambles corner, Armagh, BT61 7LG

Hopefully, we’ll see you there – the venue is absolutely beautiful and if the weather is nice, you get a great view out over the stunning City of Armagh – very Insta-worthy!

Byddi Lee