There is something special about the early morning light in Laytown that has inspired photographers for years and the resultant images have featured many times in An Taisce’s Love Your Coast photography competition.
This year was no different and a beautiful image taken by Pawel Zygmunt of the much photographed Nanny Cottage entitled “Morning walk at the Cottage” – was a finalist in the ‘People and the Coast’ section of the competition.
Talking about his photograph, Pawel Zygmunt said, “A serene morning unfolds by River Nanny Cottage in Laytown, Meath, as two people enjoy their morning walk peacefully along the riverbank.
“Bathed in the soft, warm pastel hues of the rising sun, the scene feels calm and intimate. The gentle light creates a golden-pink glow, across the landscape, while the cottage in the background quietly stands as a reminder of the tranquil countryside.”
Another man who is no stranger to success in the Love Your Coast photography competition is well known local man Dave Stanley who won the competition outright in 2019 and has been shortlisted several times since, most notably in 2021 with an image of a steam train crossing the bridge over the River Nanny which brought him much acclaim.
Dave had another image shortlisted in this year’s competition, a striking portrait of a man he encountered while walking with his dog on the pier at Howth.
Speaking about the photograph, which he called The Old Man and the Sea Dave said, “When I saw Steve sitting on Howth’s harbour wall in a pensive mood I immediately thought of Hemingway’s novel. I had to try and quickly capture that moment with the boats as a backdrop.”
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 that Clean Coasts’ volunteers work diligently to protect.
With a prize fund of €5,000, the competition 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.
William Murphy won the overall ‘Photographer of the Year’ title as well as 1st place in the ‘People and the Coast’ category in the Clean Coasts 2024 Love Your Coast photography competition with his photo ‘An Fear Marbh agus an Fear ag eitilt’, taken at Slea Head Drive, Dingle, Co. Kerry.
In County Louth a photo by Sean Berry “Bioluminescence” taken at Port Beach was shortlisted in the Coastal Landscape category.
“After an evening of astrophotography at Port beach, I noticed a blue flashing glow from the corner of my eye and quickly realized that something quite rare in Ireland was happening” Sean said.
“I quickly made my way down to the beach and set up shot. This will always be one of my favourite photographs and proof that you can spend a lot of time planning and prepping a photograph, but every now and again Mother Nature can provide something completely unexpected and special.”
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.
“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. “
