Over Five Decades of Honouring Leitrim Writers & Writing (1973–2026)
An independent historical archive compiled by Leitrim Books. Not affiliated with the Leitrim Guardian.
Since its founding in 1968, the Leitrim Guardian journal has served as an enduring chronicle of the cultural, social, and literary life of County Leitrim. In 1972, marking the 21st anniversary of the death of Carrick-on-Shannon native M. J. McManus (1888–1951), the Guardian issued an appeal to establish an annual literary award in his memory.
Described on a memorial plaque in his native town as a “gifted and beloved writer, speaker and patriot,” M. J. McManus was an author, satirist, bibliophile, and the influential literary editor of The Irish Press. The award was conceived with a threefold mission: to honour McManus’s legacy, to reward the generous contributors who wrote voluntarily for the journal each year, and to inspire creative writing among the people and youth of County Leitrim.
The 1972 appeal was answered through the generosity of Councillor John D. “Jack” Leonard (later elevated to a life peerage in 1978 as Lord Leonard of Cardiff, 1909–1983). A proud native of Manorhamilton who built a distinguished business and public service career in Wales, Lord Leonard was devoted to his home county—often speaking fondly of his youth “fishing the Bonet, climbing Benbo, and gathering nuts from Cranny Wood.”
Lord Leonard endowed the initial bursary fund and commissioned a specially designed perpetual silver trophy, handcrafted locally in County Leitrim by Emmet O’Keefe of O’Keefe Brothers, Tullaghan, along with replicas for each recipient. Lord Leonard travelled from his home in Wales on several occasions to personally present the trophy, including inaugural presentations in Manorhamilton (1973) and Carrigallen (1975).
The noted author, philosopher, and cultural commentator Desmond (Des) Fennell adjudicated the first competition, evaluating contributions across the Guardian’s first four volumes (1968–1972). First prize (£25) was awarded to Dr. Augustine (Gus) Martin for “Adventures with an Ass,” with second prize (£15) to Michael Whelan, N.T., for “Selton Hill,” and third prize (£10) jointly to Padraic White and Jude Flynn for “In Ballinamore and Manorhamilton.”
In 1974, the editor declared that no submission reached the requisite standard of distinction—setting an enduring precedent that honours would be conferred strictly on literary merit. The editor also clarified that the awards welcomed literary achievement by Leitrim writers anywhere in the world, not solely works published within the journal.
Founded in memory of Carrick-on-Shannon’s literary giant, honouring exceptional prose, poetry, and scholarly writing. In its inaugural year, honours were conferred in three tiers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place). It remains one of the county’s highest literary accolades.
Bearing the name of Manorhamilton’s Jack Leonard, this trophy—crafted by Emmet O'Keefe in Tullaghan—was instituted as a distinct perpetual title in 1980 to crown outstanding prose, historical studies, and creative narratives reflecting the spirit of Leitrim.
Initiated in 1980 as the Leitrim Guardian Prize and retitled the Leitrim Guardian Literary Award in 2001, this category recognizes compelling essays, local memoirs, short fiction, and poetry collections from writers across Leitrim and the diaspora.
The longevity, independence, and monetary bursaries of the awards have been sustained through the generosity of key sponsors:
Native of Manorhamilton who donated the original perpetual trophy crafted in Tullaghan and endowed the inaugural prize fund in 1973.
Offered generous £100 sponsorship beginning in 1977/78, allowing the Guardian to expand the awards into a multi-prize format with a £100 first prize and £50 second prize.
Provided sustained sponsorship to support monetary bursaries and champion County Leitrim authors and essayists.
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