Mayo native named 'Photographer of the Year' in 2024 Love Your Coast competition
William Murphy, a native of Mayo, has won the overall ‘Photographer of the Year’ title as well as first place in the ‘People and the Coast’ category in the Clean Coasts 2024 Love Your Coast photography competition.
His winning photo – ‘An Fear Marbh agus an Fear ag Eitilt’ – was taken at Slea Head Drive, Dingle, Co. Kerry. It displays Inis Tuaisceart Island in Co. Kerry, also known as the Dead Man or the Sleeping Giant. It's the northernmost of the famed Blasket Islands, and William's photo depicts it bathed in evening light with a human focal point soaring high in the sky above.
William said of his photo: “This was an opportunistic shot of a paraglider taking in the sights of the Slea Head Drive, passing by Inishtooskert, while I waited for the famous Dingle light to appear in late July.
“The previous evening had little to no visibility due to low cloud and rain, so I headed for the schoolhouse from Ryan’s Daughter to take in sunset in hope of good light there and over Inistooskert, two shots with the one location. What I thought was a photographer heading to the cliffs turned out to be a paraglider who circled the area for a while and allowed me the opportunity to capture An Fear Marbh and a flying man – an Fear ag eitilt – in the one shot.”
With a prize fund of €5,000, the competition has attracted hundreds of amateur photographers from all around Ireland this year, each with their own unique way of capturing stunning photographs of Ireland’s beautiful coastline. The awards ceremony was held in Richmond Barracks, Dublin.
Elsewhere, James Buckley’s photo 'Top of Croagh Patrick, taken in Westport, claimed second place in the Coastal Landscape category.
“For years I had envisioned capturing the perfect sunset from the summit of Croagh Patrick, with the breathtaking view of Clew Bay coastline stretching out below,” said James.
“On this day, everything finally aligned – the wind was calm, the skies were clear, and as the sun began to set, I patiently waited for the light to illuminate the church at the summit and cast its golden glow across the top of the mountain.
“The long wait at the top was worth every moment for that magic moment. By the time I began the climb down, darkness had settled in, and I was grateful for the torch and gear I had brought to navigate the descent safely.”
Also making the top 10 in the Heritage on the Coast, People and the Coast and Underwater categories were the following; Helen Black with 'Banshees Cottage', Keem Beach; Terry Conroy with 'Storm Fergus', Purteen Harbour, Achill Island; Terry Conroy with 'Drumming in the Rain', Pullagh on Achill; Michael Orth with 'Cray on Carpet of Jewels', Blacksod; and Stephen Frawley, with 'Small But Mighty', Kilcummin Pier.
In the 15 years since its inception in 2010, the Love Your Coast photography competition has been a celebration of the extraordinary beauty of Ireland’s coastline, which Clean Coasts’ volunteers work diligently to protect.
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is proud to support An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme, which is also sponsored by Fáilte Ireland. Initiatives from associated Clean Coasts groups and the Green Coast Awards act as custodians for Ireland's beaches, seas, and marine life, to maintain that they are managed appropriately and that they are litter- and pollution-free for visitors to enjoy.
An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme manager, Bronagh Moore, said: “The Love Your Coast photography competition is one of the highlights of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts calendar. It is a wonderful reminder of why the work we do with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life, is so important.
“Seeing the beauty of our coastline captured in these photographs, you can’t help but feel inspired and driven to do everything you possibly can to protect and care for our marine environment. Knowing we are supporting over 2,000 volunteer groups who dedicate their time to keeping our coastline and ocean litter-free is hugely rewarding for our team on the ground. We’d encourage everyone to take the time to really enjoy all of these wonderful photos, be inspired by their beauty, and consider volunteering with a local Clean Coast Group.”
The Love Your Coast photography competition stands as a testament to Ireland’s coastal beauty and character as captured through the lens of talented photographers who take part in the competition year after year. Clean Coasts wants to congratulate each of the winning and shortlisted photographers and thank them for being part of this year’s competition.