Whales, lighthouses and sunsets: the best photos to celebrate World Ocean Day

They say a picture tells a thousand words and nothing tells the tale of our coasts quite like a photograph. Irish Examiner photographers and readers share the stories behind the most arresting images of Ireland's oceans in the last twelve months

Sunset in the west: Spanish Point Co.Clare. Picture Lisa Farrell, Clare

Amateur photographer Lisa Farrell has been taking pictures of the hinterlands of Spanish Point in Clare for many years, but she credits her love of photography for getting her through a difficult period in her life. Following the birth of her youngest daughter, Farrell found herself suffering with postnatal depression and her partner bought her a camera to encourage her to explore her favourite places in nature.

Farrell and her partner own Clare Water Sports and spend as much time outdoors as possible, and she says that living within 10 minutes of four of Clare’s magnificent beaches makes it easy to take beautiful pictures.