FIRST PLACE

COASTAL HERITAGE

Sturgeon Moon, Ballycotton

Ballycotton, Co Cork

Capturing the image of a sturgeon Full moon rising over Ballycotton lighthouse was a meticulously planned endeavour. Equipped with a 200-600mm lens on a Sony A7riii camera, I sought to encompass the entire island within the frame, opting for a focal length of 374mm. 
My first attempt at this shot the month before was clouded over, so I was delighted to have ideal conditions during this visit to Ballycotton and the moon gracefully emerged on the horizon during the serene blue hour. However, what truly made this shot unique was the careful consideration given to timing the shutter release. The deliberate aim was to capture the flash of the lighthouse beacon, adding a dynamic and enchanting element to the final image.

PHOTOGRAPHER: KAROLRYAN

SECOND PLACE

COASTAL HERITAGE

Abandoned Ship

Hook Peninsula, Co Wexford

I have heard for an Abandoned ship at Hook Peninsula. Portlairge Wreck was built in Dublin in 1907 and was 42 meters long and worked all the time on the Waterford coast until 1982 in which it failed and in 1987 left the city to rest now in Bannow Bay near Saltmills in County Wexford, Ireland. For nearly 35 years the Portlairge Wreck pollutes the sea. Without any doubt it is a great subject for Photographers, but not for the environment. I have visited it a few times, always the tide was out. I was at the Saltee Island and decided on the way back to home to visit it again. The tide was coming in and the clouds moved very quickly. I realized that this is a special moment and use very long exposure to get the movement of both water and the clouds. I was delighted with the final result.

PHOTOGRAPHER: TODOR TILEV

THIRD PLACE

COASTAL HERITAGE

Black Head Lighthouse, CoClare 

Black Head, The Burren, Co Clare

"The most northerly tip of County Clare is Blackhead, lying northwest of Gleninagh Mountain 318.5 meters (1045 feet) and forms the turning point where the southern shore of Galway Bay changes from east-west to northeast-southwest. It commands a magnificent view of the whole of Galway Bay from its western barrier of the Aran Islands to Oranmore Bay east of Galway City, with a backdrop of the Connemara hills and mountains. Why, in English, the headland is called Blackhead I have not been able to discover because its name in Irish is Ceann Boirne or Burren Head which is more appropriate; perhaps in murky weather, the three-hundred-meter headland made a dark impression on locals or fishermen.
Thanks to a bit of luck and weather observation, I managed to photograph this beautiful place in the beautiful colors of the setting sun. As you can see, blackhead is not always black, as the name suggests. Set among the bizarre scenery of steep limestone mountains and rocky coastline, the lighthouse looks out of this world."

PHOTOGRAPHER: PIOTR MACHOWCZYK

Sunset at Hook Lighthouse

Hook Lighthouse Co Wexford

Hook Lighthouse is 40 minutes drive from my home in Wexford Town and quite often I take a drive down with the camera to see what conditions on a given day are like. The are is a very popular spot with tourists and local photographers too. The thing that makes this place nice is that you will always come away with a different image , depending on conditions, ie time of day / year , tides wind etc etc.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Declan Roche

One Golden Glance

Hook Lighthouse Co Wexford

This image was shot at the Hook Lighthouse on what turned out to be a beautiful evening around 9.45pm July this year . I had a few shots from a bit earlier in the evening from most if not all of the angles you can shoot the Lighthouse , nothing to report on those !! .. So then this image presented itself . As i was walking up by the walls , the sun caught the wheat in the field adjoining and I literally leaned over the wall , held the Camera as low down as possible , with the screen tilted i couldn't see what was in view until i reviewed them when i got home - the resulting image i was more than happy with .... The Hook as in the Queen Classic " It"s A KInd Of Magic " which it is !! .....Hence the Title " One Golden Glance.

PHOTOGRAPHER: MYLES LAMBERT

Liffey

DUBLIN

"During a particular season, the rising sun gracefully aligns itself with Dublin Port, casting its radiant golden glow upon the River Liffey and enveloping the entire city in its warm embrace. Anticipating this stunning spectacle, I carefully examined the weather forecast before embarking on a journey to Dublin. As the sun began to ascend above the port, I launched my drone to capture the breathtaking scene.
While in the midst of creating my panorama, I fortuitously spotted a seagull gracefully soaring through the frame. Instantly, I recognized the opportunity to enhance the perception of a bird's-eye view and provide a captivating perspective for the viewers."

PHOTOGRAPHER: PAWEL ZYGMUNT

Northern Gannets Gathering

Bull Rock west Cork

"We decided to head out towards Dursey Island and make a stop to the beautiful Calf rock along the way. We got quite lucky with a flat sea so continued to the Bull rock 4km off Dursey, The Bull Rock is home to one of Ireland's largest Colonies of Gannets and they can be seen flying, diving and sitting just like the picture tells.
We watched the ganets soar and then made our way to the arch underneath the Bull rock which is associated with folklore and legend and is purported to be the ‘Gateway to the Underworld’ but that's a story for next year's competition."

PHOTOGRAPHER: TADHG O'CONNELL

Skellig 

Skellig Michael

The unique landscape at Skellig Michael, Co Kerry, is so epic that it was chosen as a location for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Captured here in a soft light, you can see why people said it added so much character to the blockbuster film.

PHOTOGRAPHER: LESZEK PAWELLA

Bád Eddie

Magheraclogher beach, Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal

My three children Fiadh, Faolán and Senan investigating Bád Eddie during the summer holidays under a moody sky. The shipwreck washed up on Magheraclogher Beach in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal in the 1970s. Locals are working to preserve it for future generations as there are fears it won't last much longer. It has become an iconic symbol of the area's fishing heritage and connection to the sea.

PHOTOGRAPHER: KATHY MASTERSON