The winners of the 14th edition of the Love Your Coast photography competition have been announced today, with seven breathtaking snaps from Donegal making the final lists.
With a prize fund of €6,000, the Clean Coasts competition has attracted hundreds of photographers all around Ireland this year, receiving a record number of over 1,300 entries.
Clean Coasts wants to congratulate all the winning and shortlisted photographers and thank them for being part of this year’s celebrations.
The runners-up from Donegal are below…
Coastal Landscape category:
Darragh Gorman, Electric Sea, Donegal Bay, Co. Donegal
Describing how he got this shot, Darragh Gorman said, “Midsummer lightning storm over Donegal bay, looking North from Bundoran. This storm was absolutely amazing to witness I have never seen anything like it before or since. I was amazed when I saw the whole sky lit up with this huge fork of lighting and couldn’t believe my luck that i had managed to capture it on camera. ”
Darragh Gorman – Electric Sea – Donegal Bay, Co. Donegal
Zhi Jun Jin, Bad Eddie, Bunbeg, Co. Donegal
Discussing the image, Zhi Jun Jin stated, “The famous Bád Eddie shipwreck on below Errigal mountain on the beautiful coastline of Bunbeg, Co Donegal. Bád Eddie lies on Bunbeg’s Magheraclogher beach, in Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), an Irish speaking area of the Republic of Ireland. Built in Brittany, France and originally named Ami Des Flots (Friend of the Waves), it was renamed Cara na Mara (Friend of the Sea), and later became known as Bád Eddie (Eddie’s Boat) after the man who owned it. It came ashore for minor repairs in 1977 and has been stranded there ever since”
Zhi Jun Jin – Bád Eddie – Bunbeg, Co. Donegal
Coastal Heritage:
Kathy Masterson, Bád Eddie Magheraclogher Beach, Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal
When talking about the image, Kathy Masterson explained, “My three children, Fiadh (9), Faolán (7) and Senan (6) exploring the wreck of Bád Eddie on a trip to Donegal.”
Kathy Masterson – Bád Eddie – Magheraclogher Beach, Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal
Michelle Duffy, Doe Castle Views, Creeslough, Co. Donegal
When talking about her image, Michelle said, “It was taken on one of my days out around Donegal, I love this place and always stop here on my way to Downings which you can see in the Distance. I’m from Fermanagh but live close to Donegal and love any excuse to go exploring around the beautiful coastline. I’m an artist and I really enjoy capturing beautiful places that will one day become a painting.”
Michelle Duffy – Doe Castle Views – Co. Donegal
People and the Coast:
Todor Tilev, At the Cave at Boyeeghter Bay, Boyeeghter Bay, Co. Donegal
When talking about his image, At the Cave at Boyeeghter Bay, Todor Tilev stated, “I went to Boyeeghter Bay and went in one of the caves. I noticed a few people climbing the rock in front of the cave. I decided to wait and when somebody is on the top to take a picture.”
Todor Tilev – At the Cave at Boyeeghter Bay – Boyeeghter Bay, Co. Donegal
Wildlife and the Coast:
Caoimhe Tyndall, Ringed Plover, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Talking about her Love Your Coast photo, Caoimhe Tyndall explained, “ I lay on my front on the beach near the shoreline at Low tide watching a small group of shorebirds. I remained low to the ground and nice and quiet when I got a beautiful pose from a young ringed plover.”
Caoimhe Tyndall – Ringed Plover – Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Liam Mc Laughlin, Cormorant in Full Mating Colours, Inch Island Wildlife Reserve, Co. Donegal
Talking about his image, Liam Mc Laughlin said, “I took up wildlife Photography about 10 years ago i like spending time around Inch island wildfowl reserve in Donegal the image in question was taken there.”
Liam Mc Laughlin – Cormorant in Full Mating Colours – Inch Island Wildlife Reserve, Co. Donegal
The Love Your Coast photography competition stands as a testament to Ireland’s coastal beauty and character, encapsulated through the lens of photographers who take part in the competition year after year. Clean Coasts wants to congratulate all the winning and shortlisted photographers and thank them for being part of this year’s celebrations.
As part of its commitments under the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive and OSPAR’s Marine Litter Action Plan, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is proud to support An Taisce’s ‘Clean Coasts Programme’, in its enthusiastic engagement with marine communities in relation to marine litter and in heightening public awareness and influencing positive behaviour among civil society.
Clean Coasts is also sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority. The Green Coast Awards and associated Clean Coasts groups act as custodians for the beaches, seas, and marine life in Ireland, ensuring that they are managed appropriately and that they are litter and pollution free for our visitors to enjoy.
