From local GAA fields to the events that stopped the world, here’s our selection of the most breathtaking pictures of the year.
apicture of a pair of blue tits engaged in a dramatic aerial battle has been chosen as the winner of the Irish Examiner Readers Photography Competition for 2024.
the winning shot was captured by Gerry Kavanagh in the garden of his home in Oranmore, Co Galway last August.
Gerry said he snapped it from small hide he has in his garden next to a hedgerow.
“I also have a raised bird table, it’s like a natural habitat, so they come down there for a feed and so I photograph them coming to and from the hedge.”
Gerry Kavanagh from Ballynacloughy, Maree, Oranmore, Galway, overall winner of the Irish Examiner Readers Photography Competition 2024, pictured in his hideout in the garden. Picture: Ray Ryan
Gerry said he was surprised but “absolutely delighted” that his picture won the top prize of €1,000.
“It was very nice start to the year,” he said.
He also said he was very grateful to Galway Camera Club, of which he is a member, for their “friendly, supportive and knowledgeable environment they provide to help members fulfil their creative potential.”
Overall Winner
A pair of blue tits photographed in a garden during the summer sunshine.
Picture Credit: Gerry Cavanagh
A pair of blue tits photographed in a garden during the summer sunshine.
Picture Credit: Gerry Cavanagh
Runners ups
Bovine Grooming
At first the scene had the rather sinister appearance of vultures on a carcass but on closer inspection I realised the cow was enjoying a good grooming session while the jackdaws were flying off with lots of free nesting material! Taken in a field near my house in Monaghan.
Picture Credit: Deirdre Macklin
Bovine Grooming
At first the scene had the rather sinister appearance of vultures on a carcass but on closer inspection I realised the cow was enjoying a good grooming session while the jackdaws were flying off with lots of free nesting material! Taken in a field near my house in Monaghan.
Picture Credit: Deirdre Macklin
Two very different but equally impressive images were selected as runners up, winning their photographers €250 each.
The first, which shows a relaxed cow enjoying a grooming session courtesy of some jackdaws, was captured by Deirdre Macklin in Co Monaghan.
When she initially spotted the animal in the field across from her house, Deirdre said she thought it was dead and was being picked at by the birds.
“Then I realised they were picking hair off the back of the cow - I assume they were lining their nests as it was that time of the year.” She then grabbed her camera, captured some shots, and submitted her favourite. She said she was “delighted” to be chosen as runner up in the competition.
Midleton v Tullamore in AIL2C 10 February 2024 Towns Park Midleton, Midleton.
Picture Credit: Andrew Foley, Cork
Midleton v Tullamore in AIL2C 10 February 2024 Towns Park Midleton, Midleton.
Picture Credit: Andrew Foley, Cork
The second runner up image was taken by Andrew Foley after the final whistle of the All-Ireland League division 2C rugby game between Midleton and Tullamore last February.
Andrew said conditions on the day of the match were “particularly awful”, such that, by the end of the game, the players were “covered head to toe in mud”.
“At the end of the game, you couldn’t tell who was who. I got out there ahead of them - was just an opportunist shot as they were coming off.”
The Midleton native said he was “thrilled” his picture was chosen as runner up.
Irish Examiner Visual Media Manager Jim Coughlan congratulated all of the winners, saying the Readers Photography Competition is “one of the most enjoyable projects for us during the year”.
“It is a great way for us to engage with our readers and to share their fantastic images for all to see,” he said.
Whether you like taking pictures on your smartphone, pocket camera or DSLR the Irish Examiner Readers Photography Competition 2025 is now open to everyone and entries can be submitted at irishexaminer.com/photos.
Two weekly winners are picked during the course of the year and showcased on the Saturday edition of the Irish Examiner and online. An overall winner and two runners up are chosen at the end of the year from the shortlist.
Finalists
Adult Peregrine Falcon teaches juvenile hunting skills, our resident Peregrine Falcons around Cobh Cathedral
Picture Credit: Michael Jones
Ram-ifications of a sunny day - A Ram smiling on a rare dry day in March, in front of the Twelve Bens, Connemara.
Picture Credit: Steve Murtagh
Riding the waves near The Great Blasket Island on 11th June 2024.
Picture Credit: Terry Hourihan
Little Egret fishing in the river Dodder in Dublin.
Picture Credit: Conor Casey
A glimpse of winter around Mount Errigal, on the way to Dunlewy, with the magnificent colours of the setting sun.
Dunlewy, Donegal.
Picture Credit: Pawel Zygmunt
The shot was taken at Mill street Galway Swans breed in that spot every year , pictured is a weary gosling resting his eyes after a long day exploring the waterways of Galway city.
Picture Credit: Dónal Martyn
Dunlewy in the fantastic winter display with tree roots dipped in the lake, pointing towards the majestic Errigal. Great example photo to symbolize the Irish roots.
Picture Credit: Pawel Zygmunt
In Knockbridge, the fairy tree stands illuminated against the backdrop of a clear night sky, with vibrant northern lights cascading overhead. The tree's branches stretch upward, their rugged outlines sharp under the soft glow of green and purple auroras. The lights seem to frame the ancient tree, creating a mystical atmosphere, while the ground is bathed in faint hues of the glowing sky. It's a scene that captures both the natural beauty of the auroras and the timeless presence of the fairy tree.
Picture Credit: Pawel Zygmunt
T(w)in whistles - street musicians during the Fleadh, Wexford.
Picture Credit: Stephen Murtagh
"Baring Teeth"....Photo taken in Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Picture Credit: Bryan Enright
A Burnet Moth resting on a Cranesbill bud in the Burren, Co Clare.
Picture Credit: Elaine O'Shea
Mothers cat and kittens.
Picture Credit: Sean McInerney
Luca the Springer Spaniel dog flying across the sea at Ballynamona beach in East Cork.
Picture Credit: Mark Leo
Eileen in her own shop at 82 years old serving her great granddaughter.
Picture Credit: Helen Maloney
Ooh deer, so shy : A doe or possibly a fawn / young deer peers out at me from behind a tree (and almost camouflaged) in a wooded area of Killarney National Park one day last week (was there to observed the stag rut).
Picture Credit: Donal Daly
A wild goat maintains his balance on the branch of a Holly tree while foraging for food at Killarney national park.
Picture Credit: Donal Daly
"Hard to Swallow".....A dedicated Swallow feeds her demanding chicks.
Picture Credit: Bryan Enright
Right foot 1st nan nan.
Picture Credit: Helen Maloney
Foggy morning at Claddagh Basin Galway, Ireland.
Picture Credit: Michael Deligan
Waves from Storm Kathleen crash against the shores at Tragumna beach, as people watch on from a safe distance.
Picture Credit: Sharon Collins
A puffin gives a puzzled look to a razorbill as it prepares to land in the already tight space.
Picture Credit: Ashok Appu
Breach and feed. A local otter feasts on eels in the river Corrib Galway city.
Picture Credit: Donal Martyn
Emerald wave from Doolin, Co.Clare I have never seen such colours in this area before, so it is worth going out and admiring the beauty of nature.
Picture Credit: Piotr Machowczyk
Misty, golden sunrise at Lough Nafooey, Connemara.
Picture Credit: Przemyslaw Kilanowski
European garden spider with a wasp wrapped in its web. Watching on from a safe distance is Alastair Palmer , aged 4.
Picture Credit: Carol Caplice
Up close and personal with an East Cork dragonfly in Shangarry, Co. Cork.
Picture Credit: Sally O'Reilly
I took this image looking back over Salthill Promenade during a lighting storm on 11th August 2024. The lightning resembles a stick man walking over Galway city and out into the bay.
Picture Credit: Adrian Nolan
Irish Examiner Longread
Copyright Irish Examiner.
Design Jim Coughlan/Tiernan King/ Ivan Rodriguez
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