Call to capture iconic images

REMAKES of classic Irish landscape scenes as promoted by the postcard company John Hinde could see the new face of Ireland on postcards everywhere next year.

It will also provide “valuable feedback” on perceptions of Ireland today, Minister for Tourism Séamus Brennan said at the launch of the competition yesterday.

This is the third year of the competition run by Gulliver Ireland, Failte Ireland’s on-line booking service, in association with John Hinde.

Aimed at tourists, the competition has previously attracted thousands of entries from visiting tourists as well as from Irish holidaymakers.

The winning photograph voted the GoIreland.com Photography Awards Icon 2007 will be inspired by an iconic John Hinde image, ranging from blue and green views of the Blasket Island from Dingle to red-haired children with donkeys carrying turf.

The new image too will “become part of history” by being reproduced as an original postcard by the John Hinde Company and distributed throughout the country, a spokesman for the Killorglin-based Gulliver service said yesterday.

The overall winning photograph will also earn the winning amateur a luxury holiday in Ireland with flights, hotel accommodation and car rental included.

A selection of short breaks will be awarded to the two runners-up.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Mr Brennan said Ireland had come a long way as an economy and as a tourist destination since the original publication of John Hinde’s images back in 1963.

“Ireland is continuing to solidly develop its standing and performance in the increasingly competitive international tourism market with more than seven7 million visitors coming to our shores last year.”

The challenge ahead was to continue to offer a tourism product that makes Ireland an attractive and inviting place to holiday.

The awards presented Irish and visiting holidaymakers with the opportunity “to capture the captivating beauty and uniqueness of our landscape, which continues to be one of the primary reasons why people return again and again to holiday in Ireland”, Mr Brennan said.

Entries to the awards can be made online by visiting www.goireland.com/photo_comp/Enter.htm.

Further information on the awards is available by sending an email to [e-mail].

The closing date for entries is Friday, September 14.