'Listening into conversations has to be the single most entertaining thing one can do on public transport' by Ciara Olsthoorn

Listening into conversations has to be the single most entertaining thing one can do on public transport. Especially arguments. Darragh loved nothing more than a good argument. Regularly, on his daily commute to and from work, he would pop in headphones, let the lead dangle idly and happily relax and listen to the bizarre snippets of commentary going on around him.

'The Unlikely Hero' by Anna Kinsella, Bliain 2

The crisp, brown leaves swept gracefully along the sidewalk. The last remnants of the sun had just disappeared leaving nothing but a sky as black as ink. The streetlamp outside the house was flickering. She edged closer towards it. There were goosebumps on Clodagh’s arms; she had no jacket. She ran from the orphanage as soon as she had realised what happened.

'They Make Manipulation a Virtue' by Ciara Olsthoorn

Darragh inhaled deeply, sucking the cigarette fumes into his lungs and exhaled in the general direction of the car’s open window, tipping the ashes outside over the door. He scratched his head, pushing back the tangled hair that hung over his eyes like a mop, staring at the sheet he'd printed out off some vegan blog. The article was about these smoothies that had recently gone on sale in his locality. For all the world they looked like blended grass, or a mud pie his son Ross had made years ago, but no; according to Vegan_Sam123 they were “food for the soul”, organic, preservative free and supported his persona of being a “life enthusiast”. “If he can make money out of selling mud then so can I,” Darragh thought.

'Vision' by Noel Markham

Joseph felt a sudden shift in the temperature of the room.  The pleasant summer warmth was replaced with a deathly cold.  He moved his hands back above his head, and pulled himself to a sitting position with the metal framework of the bed.  He stopped and let the creaking echo around the large rectangular room, waiting to hear if any of the other boys were awakened by the chill.  No creak responded to his.  He was alone in the black. 

'Ever Since I Can Remember' by Eimear Dollard

Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to run away. You wouldn't blame me either, if you met my family. Living under the same roof as parents who scoff at my ambitions to be a world-famous actress and a brother whose sole purpose in life is to irritate me has finally gotten to me. I will no longer settle for this maltreatment.