We love to think that Ireland has played a huge part in making Halloween or Samhain such a popular festival. We’ve certainly had a massive influence on ghost and horror story writing - with writers such as Bram Stoker and Sheridan Le Fanu creating what we now know as Vampire stories. Dracula anyone?

We also have a rich tradition of oral storytelling and passing down family stories. It’s a great way of celebrating our heritage.

Ghost stories from all over the world play on our deepest fears and while we might keep the lights on…we like to feel a bit scared.

This is the 3rd annual ghost story competition. It’s a chance for young people to write a ghost story that could win them a voucher prize. Pictons Solicitors have kindly sponsored us again and our judge is Senior Creative Writing Lecturer, Dr Tim Jarvis from Anglia Ruskin University. Tim is a ghost story writer himself so he knows what makes the hairs stand up on our necks.

Entry is free. There are two age categories 8-12 years and 13-16 years. You don’t have to be Irish to enter and the story doesn’t have to be connected to Ireland. Maybe your family brought some spine chilling stories with them from their home country or maybe there’s a dark side to Luton, waiting to be written about? We don’t mind.

All entries have to be your own original work. We don’t mind if it’s a family story as long as we can see your creativity. All stories will be checked for plagiarism (copying a story that’s already in print) and also for use of AI. Stories where either of these are found can’t be accepted. We trust that your imagination is more than enough to write a great story.

Prizes in each category: - 1st Prize £50,

2nd Prize £30, 3rd Prize £20

Deadline: Thursday 30th October - midnight

Word count: 1500 words

There will be an awards evening on Tuesday 25th November for all winning, placed and shortlisted entries.

1. Stories must be original, no longer than 1500 words and submitted by Thursday 30th October. Stories can be a family story but will be original in that the author has written them in their own style.

2. The author’s name and other identifying details must not be included on the story as the competition will be judged anonymously. 

3.The entry form below must be completed.
4. The story must be submitted as a Word document or PDF and uploaded within the entry form
5. It doesn’t matter if your story has been published elsewhere, either online or in print
6. The judge’s decision is final and the judges are unable to provide feedback to the author
7. The author agrees to take part in publicity organised by Luton Irish Forum with the consent of their parent/carer. If this is not possible due to safeguarding reasons, it will not affect their chance of winning and we will accommodate this. Please let us know if child/young person can't take part in publicity
8. There are no alternatives to the prizes offered.