THE Donegal coastline, one of the most beautiful sights in the country, was showcased recently after seven images from various areas of the county’s coast were shortlisted in a prestigious photography competition.
The 15th edition pf the Love Your Coast Photography Competition announced its winners at an event in Richmond Barrack’s in Dublin.
The annual competition attracts amateur photographers from all around Ireland each year, all in with a chance of winning a prize fund of €5,000.
The competition is a celebration of Ireland’s extraordinary coastline and the volunteer work undertaken by ‘Clean Coasts’ volunteers as they diligently protect it.
Pawel Zygmunt’s “The Lighthouse”, taken at Fanad Head and shortlisted in the Love Your Coast 2024 photography competition.
Donegal was represented by Gail Park’s photo “The Secret Fort by the Sea” snap, taken in Portnoo, when it achieved second place in the ‘Heritage on the Coast’ category, capturing Doon Fort on a calm December evening thanks to her trusty DJI Mini2 drone getting the job done.
Gail said: “Taken in late December, the setting sun lighting up the brown and red shrubs complimented with no wind, this was the most idyllic evening to capture Doon Fort. With Croagh Head and Aranmore Island sitting in the Atlantic behind it, it’s hidden away and not signposted on account of it being surrounded fully by private lands.”
Other Donegal shutterbugs who found their prints lauded by judges included John Seager, whose “Stranded”, taken at Marble Hill Strand, found itself in the Coastal Landscape Category; Pawel Zygmunt, with “The Lighthouse”, taken at Fanad Head, joining Gail in the Heritage on the Coast category; Sinead Mc Cahey’s, “Mulroy Bouquet”, taken at Woodquarter Mulroy Bay, was shortlisted in the Underwater Category as was Stephen Dunbar, with “The Corncrake”, taken at Tory island. Finally, in the People and the Coast category, two shortlisted photos from Donegal were taken by Megan Gayda, with “Into the Vortex”, taken in Donegal Bay, and Aaron Van Haaster, with “Reading by the coast”, taken at Tullen Strand, Bundoran.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)