FIRST PLACEÂ
COASTAL LANDSCAPE
Horizon
Bray
I’ve taken this picture in Bray, a late afternoon. Passing the little hut I did notice that the horizon was perfectly going ‘through’ the man made construction, while the canoe at the right was adding the perfect visual accent which the picture needs.
PHOTOGRAPHER: PETER VANDERMEERSCH
SECOND PLACE
COASTAL LANDSCAPE
Kilfarrasy Winter Session
Kilfarrasy, Co Waterford
Located in Co Waterford, Kilfarrasy Beach is a popular beach with golden sand, and a remarkable amount of cliffs inland that shelter the sand. The cliffs are really old (about 460 million years!). On both sides of the beach, there are bizarre formations and a rock island that attracts a lot of attention. I have visited this beach and rock formations many times, which inspire many photographers, including me, but I have never managed to take a photo there that I would be happy with. Therefore, the topic remained open and I tried my luck in this location once again. As you can see, my persistence was finally rewarded with a dramatic sunset that perfectly emphasized the atmosphere of this place.
PHOTOGRAPHER: PIOTR MACHOWCZYK
THIRD PLACE
COASTAL LANDSCAPE
Oyster Beds in the Morning
Woodstown beach, Waterford
Woodstown Beach is a long sandy beach surrounded by private woodlands and located in the county of Waterford. It is a tidal beach which extends out around a kilometre at low tide, exposing a large and flat beach. It is perfect for oyster farming
Woodstock Beach is also very popular with families and is ideal for picnics and long walks. This picture was taken in a morning where the low tide and the sunrise were at the same time where the oyster bed make a beautiful point of interest.
PHOTOGRAPHER: PETER BIJSTERVELD
Sea, Cliffs and Stars
Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
Formed over 300 million years ago and rising straight up from the Atlantic for some 213m (700 feet), the Cliffs of Moher offers spectacular vistas along the Clare coastline and of the Aran Islands. I like it here at sunset when the crowds disperse, but at nightfall, the place takes on a special aura. No human voices, just waves crashing against the sandstone cliffs far below. One evening, I arrived to shoot the milky way. What bliss ... with just a soft breeze brushing against my forehead. I shot the foreground during the nautical twilight, to give it a warm, natural feel. Then slowly but surely, the dark canvas of the night sky was filled with millions of twinkling stars before the milky way edged into view from behind the cliffs. There was some green airglow too, which added to the beauty of the sky that night.
PHOTOGRAPHER: ADRIAN HENDROFF
Winter at Glassilaun Beach. CoGalway
Glassilaun Beach, Co Galway
Glassilaun Beach is situated at the mouth of the Killary Fjord in the Connemara region of Galway. I had stumbled across this location by chance on a cold December day. The sun hadn’t quite set yet and low cloud was rolling in along the mountains. It was a real treat to capture this scene and one that I will no doubt visit again.
PHOTOGRAPHER: CONOR CORBETT
What Once Was
Connemara, Co Galway
This image was shot close to Derreennawinshin near Silverstrand Beach Co Mayo on an August morning as the day began to warm up . Despite living all my life in Wexford for very many reasons my heart is firmly set in the West Of Ireland . The pace of life , the people , the welcome and the stunning rugged coastline make the West what it is .. From West Cork to Sligo and beyond - the photographic opportunities on any given day , Rain Hail or Shine you will find in these parts are incredible .. This image for me spoke volumes, which is why the title " What Once Was " felt very apt. It was once a family home , a place of warmth and shelter , no doubt many a story of legends of the past were told here over a big turf fire. Despite the hard work from the land or the sea or both- it was at one time called Home ........
PHOTOGRAPHER: MYLES LAMBERT
Waiting for the Tide
River Scorid entering Fermoyle Strand, Castlegregory, Co Kerry
Some of the most beautiful coastal vistas are revealed by the shift of perspective that a drone offers. Here the patterns and colours as the Scorid River enters the sea at low tide are revealed by a bird's eye perspective, with two stranded boats dwarfed by the aerial viewpoint.Â
PHOTOGRAPHER: ROB PLANT
Electric Sea
Donegal Bay
Midsummer lightning storm over Donegal bay, looking North from Bundoran. This storm was absolutely amazing to witness I have never seen anything like it before or since. I was amazed when I saw the whole sky lit up with this huge fork of lighting and couldn’t believe my luck that I had managed to capture it on camera.
PHOTOGRAPHER: DARRAGH GORMAN
Northern Delight
Cliffoney Bay, Co Sligo
Heading to a remote beach at 1 a.m. in the winter isn't common, but when it's for a chance to see the Northern Lights, you go all out. I left home at 8 p.m., lugging heavy camera gear, and didn't get back until 4 a.m. It was crazy cold, and I had to walk forever. But I'm looking forward to the next time I can catch that incredible sight.
PHOTOGRAPHER: DARRAGH GORMAN
