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The winners of the 2026 Love Your Coast photography competition have been announced. Now in its 17th consecutive year, the competition showcased the Irish Coast in all its brilliance.
Amateur photographers from across the country submitted over 1,100 photographs this year in the hope of achieving a coveted place. This year’s competition encouraged photographers to consider the 2026 theme of “Impact” when snapping their photos.
Designed to highlight the profound interaction between humans and nature, the 2026 edition tasked photographers with capturing our dynamic relationship with the coast and showcasing how nature shapes our lives, while human actions inevitably leave their mark on our shores.
Over 390 photographers entered in the hopes of achieving a place and a shot at the coveted title of Photographer of the Year, the chance to have their images published in a national newspaper and a share of the €5,000 prize fund.
“I followed this male otter along the River Lee in Cork City one April evening,” Chris says, “watching him investigate the steps and nooks and crannies in the old quay walls, when he suddenly appeared with this fiery coloured crab. He immediately took it under the next bridge to enjoy it in privacy away from the ever-alert gulls”.
“Every year we are reminded of how many talented and creative photographers we have nationwide capturing incredible images of our beautiful island,” Bronagh Moore, Clean Coasts Programme Manager, said. “We are so grateful and privileged to have them share their passion with us and, in turn, showcase Ireland’s stunning coast, waterways and wildlife. Our theme of ‘impact’ this year serves as a reminder that our every action has an impact, both positive and negative. We must all play our part in ensuring our actions serve to protect and care for our coast, waterways, ocean, and marine life”.
Lead image: Adrian Nolan came in first place in the ‘Coastal Landscape’ category as part of the 2026 Clean Coasts Love Your Coast Photography Competition with his photograph “Stick Man”; his image captures a lightning strike resembling a stick man taken at Salthill Promenade, Co. Galway.
The list of full winners can be found on their website here.