FIRST PLACE
SOURCE TO SEA
Let there be Light
Glendasan, Co Wicklow
I have been photographing Wicklow for many years...it is just so beautiful.
I am really interested in shooting fog and mist for the wonderful atmosphere they create so I am always checking the weather forecast.
This was one of those potential mornings and I set out in darkness from Dublin to get there for dawn.
I got so excited when I saw the conditions, set up my camera and waited for the light to break.
What a spectacle....what a treat ....nature is truly amazing !!
PHOTOGRAPHER: HELEN BLACK
SECOND PLACE
SOURCE TO SEA
Rainbow Island
Pine Island Connemara, Co Galway
I was heading to Connemara to camp in the mountains.
I got amazing light on the way out and kept having to pull over but I was conscious of time to make it to the camp spot before sunset.
As I was driving past the Pine Island it started to rain and I pulled over knowing it would create a rainbow.
After waiting around a short while it appeared and I used to the drone to campture it in the perfect position.
PHOTOGRAPHER: felix sproll
THIRD PLACE
SOURCE TO SEA
Mirror Lough
Kylemore Lough, Connemara, Co Galway
On the last day of a trip to Connemara, we passed Kylemore Lough by chance, and were amazed by the mirror-like stillness of the water.
The reflection was so perfect - it looked like an optical illusion.
I especially love how the small building in the image highlights the scale of the towering landscape in the background.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Aoife Hester
Sunrise on the Boyne
Slane Bridge, Slane, Co Meath
A bitterly cold, frosty morning in February along the River Boyne.
I was walking back to the car and spotted this bird sunning itself on a log in the river.
The scene came together with the lady crossing the bridge, the mist rising from the river and the old buildings in the background.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Lorraine Schilder
Lower Lake Aurora
Glendalough, Co Wicklow
We were blessed with two strong aurora displays in 2024: this one was captured in October of that year, when I waited out the night in Glendalough with my friend James.
The place was busy, but thankfully no one else was at the Lower Lake so we had the place to ourselves.
To our delight, Lady Aurora showed up in the sky in an explosion of colours and as a bonus we also got reflections on the lake plus a slither of mist on its opposite end too.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Adrian Hendroff
Lough Inagh
Lough Inagh, Connemara National Park, Co Galway
Taken on cold but sunny New Year's Day 2024.
The air was absolutely still and there were beautiful reflections of the hills and clouds in the lake.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Magnus Huber
Machair Dunes at Sunrise
Machair Dunes, Mulranny, Co Mayo
"This location truly comes to life when viewed via drone and I was lucky enough to get perfect conditions for using the drone on the morning of this shot.
The area is a wonderfully unique and diverse region, with the tide level perfect for creating the beautiful patterns created by the dunes.
The inclusion of the footbridge in the middle ground provides a sense of scale, while the sunrise light paints the scene in warm and inviting colours.
Significant care was taken to ensure no interference with the local wildlife, primarily birds in flight."
PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goulding
River Coming Home
Keel Beach, Achill, Co Mayo
I love this location on achill and researched when the sun would rise in front of the bay.
I love the movement and colours in the image and if you look closely you can see Croagh Patrick silhouetted in the brightest part of the image with the river flowing back to the sea and leading to the mountain.
If people want this type of image its important to plan to try to get the sunrise placement, tide, weather ,clouds all in the right place! Luck and planning!
PHOTOGRAPHER: Terry Conroy
Beyond the Wall
The Guinness Lake, Lough Tay, Ballinastoe, Co Wicklow
This photo was taken through a small opening in an old stone wall overlooking Lough Tay in COWicklow.
I was drawn to the rich contrast between the deep blues of the lake and the rich greens of the valley that truly captures the essence of the Irish landscape.
The wall acted as a natural frame and created a sense of separation, a timeless scene where land meets water.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Zoe Lynch
