At an event yesterday evening, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme proudly announced the winning photographers of the 15th edition of the Love Your Coast photography competition, held in Richmond Barracks, Dublin.
With a prize fund of €5000, the competition has attracted hundreds of amateur photographers from all around Ireland this year, each with their own unique way of capturing stunning photographs of Ireland’s beautiful coastline.
William Murphy won the overall ‘Photographer of the Year’ title as well as 1st place in the ‘People and the Coast’ category in the Clean Coasts 2024 Love Your Coast photography competition with his photo ‘An Fear Marbh agus an Fear ag eitilt’, taken at Slea Head Drive, Dingle, Co. Kerry.
Lisa Farrell, took first place in the Wildlife and the Coast category with her photo ‘Peeping Tom’, taken at Whitestrand Beach in Miltown Malbay Co. Clare. She said of her photo, “I run a water sports company on the beach and enjoy taking shots of our local dolphin who visits every day. One day when sitting out I spotted my little friend peeping out, she became very curious and came closer, so I sat and watched her jump and bounce and play with the flowers. It was lovely to see her as I haven’t seen one before.”
In the Underwater category, Eabha A. Hughes placed first with their image ‘Peek-A-Boo!’, taken at Pollock Holes, Kilkee, Co. Clare.
Speaking on their photo Eabha stated, “The Pollock Holes in Kilkee boast exceptional biodiversity and are truly a hidden gem along the west coast. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve snorkelled them; every visit surprises me with a new species or a stunning little vista tucked beneath a rock. After playing peek-a-boo with my camera and this Red Blenny, it confidently poked its head out just long enough for me to get the shot.”
Images also shortlisted from Co. Clare include, Stephen Phelan, “Doolin Wave,” Doolin Co. Clare, Piotr Machowczyk, “Foggy morning”, Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare and Adrian Hendroff, “Sunset at Lovers Leap”, Loop Head, Co. Clare from the Coastal Landscape Category; Kevin Doyle, “Leap of Faith”, Southern Clare Coastline Co. Clare in the People and the Coast Category; and Mark O’Leary, “Compass Jellyfish”, Kilkee, Co. Clare in the Underwater Category.