Mayo shots win in Love Your Coast photography competition
THREE images captured on the Mayo coastline are among the prize-winners in the Clean Coasts’ Love Your Coast photography competition, which showcases all the beauty of the Irish coastal landscape, heritage, wildlife and more.
For the past 13 years, the competition has been inviting photographers to capture the uniqueness of our coastal landscape, with awards in five categories.
Over 1,100 entries were received this year, with the 50 best images shortlisted and displayed at the awards ceremony in Smock Alley.
Darragh Gorman, with his 'Splash', captured in Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, was awarded the Image of the Year title.
Brian Wilson with 'Weathering the Storm', captured at Broadhaven Lighthouse, Ballyglass, in north Mayo, was awarded second place prize in the Coastal Heritage Category.
Brian commented: “I have photographed Broadhaven lighthouse in all types of weather, a winter storm providing the dramatic scene for this image. I was positioned with my camera against a ditch, sheltering from the howling wind, when a brief break in the clouds allowed the low winter sunlight to illuminate the dramatic scene of the huge waves crashing against the rocks. A true testament to the quality of workmanship, this lighthouse has weathered many storms since light was first established in 1855.”
Kevin Foley, with 'Croaghaun Sea Cliffs', taken on Achill Island, was also awarded the second place prize in the Coastal Landscape Category.
Said Kevin: “I have always wanted to photograph the amazing Coaghaun mountain on Achill Island. At 688 metres it has the highest sea cliffs in Ireland as well as the third highest sea cliffs in Europe. The views are spectacular in this area.
“If planning, it's important to get the right weather conditions and avoid fog, which can be a challenge, but I was lucky on the day to get spectacular views of the highest lake in Ireland, Bunnafreva Lough West, from the top of the stunning cliffs.”
Finally, Terry Conroy with 'Achill Man', shot at Purteen Harbour in Keel, Achill, arrived third in the People and the Coast category.
Terry spotted the subject of this photo while wandering in Purteen Harbour and returned the following day with a camera and the man was there again. Terry said: “I approached him and looked for permission. What a lovely man he was! We had a great chat and it turned out this is his 'Covid look'! Seamus is normally a smartly dressed teacher with hair cut short. Thankfully I met him on the right occasion!”
In addition, 'Raindrop', an image captured by Mich Bohan in Killadoon, was shortlisted in the top 10 in the Creativity and the Coast Category.
Working with communities on the ground, Clean Coasts’ mission is to help foster pride in our coastline, supporting Clean Coasts communities, groups, and volunteers to tackle issues affecting their local area.This competition provides an opportunity to view the coast and our waterways that the Clean Coasts programme works to protect from a completely different perspective and see the beauty captured therein.