Photo: Dave Stanley ‘What a Wonderful World’ – Bettystown, Co. Meath.
Lorraine Schilder, finalist in the Source to Sea category with their image ‘Sunrise on the Boyne’
Two photographs captured in appreciation of Co. Meath shores secured places in the finals of the 2025 national ‘Love Your Coast’ competition.
The photos included one taken by Dave Stanley of a man and his dog strolling at sunset on Bettystown Beach titled ‘What a Wonderful World’, which was marked in the ‘Connecting with the Coast’ category.
‘Sunrise on the Boyne’ by Lorraine Schilder was also a finalist for 2025 in the ‘Source to Sea’ category. Their photo depicts a frosty morning sunrise over the Boyne in Slane during the winter gone by.
Another Meath based photographer, Tom Ormond, won first place in the ‘Wildlife and the Coast’ with his photo ‘Humpback Whale’ taken off Mullaghmore in Donegal Bay, a rare capture of these fascinating marine mammals at sunset.
Tom Ormond with his photo entitled ‘Humpback Whale’, taken at Donegal Bay
“While on an afternoon boat trip in Donegal Bay last November I experienced this magical moment when a Humpback Whale tail fluked as the setting sun lit up the cliffs at Sliabh Liag in the distance,” Tom said.
The photography competition ran by An Taisce Clean Costs is in its 16th year, with the aim of showcasing the Irish coast in all its wonder, celebrating the immense beauty and heritage of the coast.
This year’s photographer of the year was Maria Quigley from Co. Dublin, who won with her photo ‘Embrace the Water’ in the ‘Connecting with the Coast’ category.
The photo illustrates the subject Bobby, in the golden soft morning light during his daily swim.
Maria explained the process of capturing her photo: “I took this photo on January, 9, 2025, when the sea was 7°C and ice covered the slipway. Bobby, swims daily in the morning time all year-round, usually at Coliemore Harbour, his favourite spot.
Winner, Maria Quigley’s photo ‘Embrace the Water’ taken in Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey, Co. Dublin
“He says that missing a swim ruins his day. I was lucky to take the photo as the sun was rising at that time.”
This year over 560 photographers entered a total of 1,178 photos for a placement in the top three in one of five categories and their share of the €5,000 prize fund and for a shot at the coveted title of Photographer of the Year.