East Clare writer Eileen Donnellan has been selected as one of just twelve winners of the Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition 2026, chosen from an impressive 804 submissions from 38 countries worldwide.
Raised on a farm in East Clare and now living on the island of Bra in Croatia, Eileen previously worked as a private palliative care nurse in Australia before focusing on her writing.
Her winning novel, The Notion of Words, explores grief, hidden secrets and the impact of false beliefs.
Scariff Bay Community Radio has previously broadcast her short fiction.
Want to read the rest?
To read this story in full along with all the latest news and sport from the Banner County, pick up this week’s Clare Champion or view our digital edition.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.