FIRST PLACE
PEOPLE & THE COAST
The Ocean Flare
Co Clare
This image captures a really special moment for me - a bodyboarder in the midst of an epic, backlit flared backwash barrel. I'm delighted to of got the opportunity to bring this extraordinary scene to life. It's a testament to the beauty and power of nature and the thrill of the sport.
PHOTOGRAPHER: MEGAN GAYDA
SECOND PLACE
PEOPLE & THE COAST
Rescue 117
Tramore, Co Waterford.Â
Rescue 117 is synonymous with Tramore and can be seeing flying over the bay more often than not. This particular day was windy and pretty gloomy when they decided to practice some winching right in front of the beach. Luckily I was nearby and had my long lens set up. Love capturing the great work they do. A huge part of our coastal community here in Tramore.
PHOTOGRAPHER: KEVIN DOYLE
THIRD PLACE
PEOPLE & THE COAST
Cahersiveen in Seine Mood
Cahersiveen, Co Kerry
The Cahersiveen regatta is a long-running traditional rowing competition that includes the unique and highly competitive seine boat race. As the race takes part along the coastline I hoped to showcase the stunningly colourful boats in a marine backdrop as well as capturing the sheer human power required to move these huge boats through the water to the finish line.Â
PHOTOGRAPHER: RYAN MURRAY
Summer Swimmers
Vico Baths, Killiney, Co Dublin
"This photograph, titled ""Summer Swimmers,"" was taken at Vico Baths in Dublin on a hot, sunny day using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone.
To provide some background, I spent the day with my girlfriend and a couple of friends, taking advantage of the rare sunny weather. That particular week was exceptionally hot, and I found myself daydreaming about the beach during my workday, not only to refresh myself but also to think about a composition that could capture the feelings of joy and tranquillity.
I brought my camera with me, and as we swam, ate, played, and observed the happiness of the people around us, I couldn't help but notice the laughter of the swimmers in the distance. It was then that I decided to launch the drone and spend a few minutes capturing the same scene over and over again, the swimmers climbing the stairs and joyfully leaping into the sea. The simplicity of their actions and the enormous joy they exuded were captivating."
PHOTOGRAPHER: FRANCISCO ROMO
Calvin Klein
Naylors Cove, Bray
My photo was taken in Bray in an area know locally as Naylors Cove, right at the base of Bray Head Mountain. Naylors Cove was famous for its outdoor Swimming Baths, in which you had to pay an admission chage, many years before this, the biggest summer event on the Calendar in Bray was the Summer Regatta, it used to start here, while hundreds lined the Prom to cheer them on. I was in the Cove one Saturday morning and I noticed three local Swimmers coming out of the water I thought it would be nice to get the three of them in a portrait on the narrow walkway, when their friend who wasn't swimming noticed I was taking a photo, he stripped quickly down to his Calvin Kleins in order to get in the shot. The fact that I now had four people in the frame made it better, as they huddled closer togeather, on the narrow walkway in fear of falling back into the water.
PHOTOGRAPHER: DES BYRNE
At the Cave at Boyeeghter Bay
Boyeeghter Bay, Co Donegal
"Boyeeghter Bay also known as as Murder hole beach is my favorite place in the whole world.
With my family we went on holiday in Downings. The weather was nice and every day we have been at Boyeeghter Bay. There are few caves at the beach, but one of them is my favorite, because you have a spectacular view. In front f the cave there is a rock and many people like to climb it and to see the view from them. I went in the cave waiting somebody to climb the rock. hen I saw the person on the top of the rock, I did not hesitate to take this picture."
PHOTOGRAPHER: TODOR TILEV
Flat Out
Laytown Beach, Co Meath
This photograph was taken at Laytown races last September. It is one of my favourite days of the year combining my love of horses, the challenge of capturing the action and the most beautiful backdrop of pristine sea and sand. The setting is stunning and it lifts my spirits to spend time at Laytown beach.
PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRISTINE TAYLOR
Achill Surfers
Keel Stran, Achill Island
"Most years, my summer holidays consist of a trip around the Wild Atlantic Way in my small camper van. Destinations like Achill always repay the effort it takes to get there. Each year I fear that this time they won’t, but the elemental magnificence of the landscapes and the restorative rhythms of the sea invariably soothe and invigorate me.
I think there is something obviously emblematic in this particular scene in the way that the walkers and the frolicking surfers with their vivid boards are dwarfed and thrown into sharp relief by the scale and immutable majesty of the cliffs behind them. Surfing and surf schools have really taken off in Ireland in recent decades. In my mind surfing is still a new activity in this country and it is always a slight shock to reflect that the late 1960s and early 1970s when surfing arrived here, and indeed when I was born, are over fifty years ago. In this regard I find something ineffably reassuring in the rugged unchanging beauty of our coastal landscapes. I nearly missed the photo as I had to hurry back to my van for a longer lens to capture it properly, but the reality is that I could have relaxed in the knowledge that a similar scene would have presented itself soon enough. Relaxing and a zen-like willingness to go with the flow is something that such places have taught me, and you can see it in many of the people you meet here. You meet peoples’ best selves in such places."
PHOTOGRAPHER: FRAN CASSIDY
New Year in Ireland
Bray
At the beginning of January 2023 hundreds of people were celebrating the new year by diving into the Irish Sea in Bray, Co Wicklow. I was struck by the number of happy people who looked so great and all were looking forward to a happy and healthy year. The picture of these two happy women summarizes it perfectly.
PHOTOGRAPHER: PETER VANDERMEERSCH
