St Johnston man wins Linenhall Library Ulster-Scots short story competition

A DONEGAL man has won the Belfast Linenhall Library Ulster-Scots short story competition for the second time, with his story delving deep into one of the most turbulent periods of Irish history.

Alan Millar, originally from St Johnston, picked up the award for his story 'The Lang Droon o Sally Craafird' a historical tale of love, violation and tragedy set just before the 1798 rebellion.

This is the second time he has won the competition having won the inaugural competition in 2021. He also won the poetry competition in 2023.

Alan, now based in Ballymoney, said: "I am delighted to have won the Ulster-Scots prose section of the Linenhall Library writing competition for my short story 'The Lang Droon o Sally Craafird'

"| was really pleased with it and am glad that the judges liked it too - I really wanted delve under the surface of the United Irish period with a real story about real people.

"Well done the other winners and thanks to the Linenhall and the judges, Jennifer Orr, Wesley Hutchinson and Mathew Warrick, for all their hard work.

"The competition is really a great encouragement for people writing in Ulster-Scots and Scots."

Commenting, the Linenhall Library said: "The 2025 Ulster-Scots Writing Competition attracted the largest number of entries to date and the standard and range of work was remarkable.

"It was a wonderful celebration of the language. Congratulations to all the winners."

Poetry winner: Accordeons by Glen Wilson

Prose winner: The Lang Droon o Sally Craafird by Alan Millar

Poetry runner-up: Wednesday, 5pm, December, Bilfawst by Dayna Jost

Prose runner-Up: Islandreagh Mill by Darren Gibson

"The Ulster-Scots Writing Competition is a partnership between The Linen Hall and the Ulster-Scots Agency," the Linelnhall Library added.

"Through this competition, The Linen Hall aims to foster and encourage expression in Ulster-Scots, and to support the practice of creative writing.

"The winning work has been compiled and published for all to enjoy and is now available for £5 from the gift shop on level 2 of The Linen Hall."