SOME of the finest Irish writers are among the contributors to a new RTÉ radio series to mark Ireland’s 'Decade of Centenaries'.
An Oscar-winning writer, Dublin Literary Prize winners and a Booker Prize winner are among those involved in creating 12 short stories on the theme of independence.
Spoken Stories Independence, which starts tomorrow, is a series of half-hour stories for a radio and podcast series by RTÉ Radio 1.
Anne Enright, Neil Jordan and Kevin Barry are among the contributors, while Academy award nominee Saoirse Ronan will read Sue Rainsford’s story 'Shorn’.
RTÉ said the stories originate from a theme of Independence - 100 years after Ireland’s War for Independence and "illustrate how an idea or concept can be so variously and entertainingly interpreted while collectively shed light on us and our times".
It added that the "commissions are shared across geographies, genders, those whose first language is neither English nor Irish as well as an Irish language writer".
The Spoken Stories concept and series was originated by Clíodhna Ní Anluain, who is also its producer.
"New fiction is such a dynamic strand of contemporary Irish cultural expression," she said.
"Spoken Stories is a brand-new concept for short fiction to be commissioned and produced under a common theme or thread, and through which the listener is treated to readings of them by their authors or by invited actors, cast to best serve the stories and audiences."
The series starts tomorrow on RTÉ Radio 1 at 7pm and will also be available on www.rte.ie/culture/
