An Taisce’s Clean Coasts have announced the winning photographers of the 2025 Love Your Coast photography competition and two photographs taken in county Meath secured places in the final.

A photograph taken by Dave Stanley, no stranger to this competition, showing a man strolling at sunset on Bettystown Beach with his dog titled "What a Wonderful World" was a finalist in the 'Connecting with the Coast' category.

Meanwhile, "Sunrise on the Boyne" by Lorraine Schilder was also a finalist for 2025 in the 'Source to Sea' category. Her photo depicts a frosty morning sunrise over the Boyne in Slane during the winter.

Meath based photographer, Tom Ormond, secured first place in the 'Wildlife and the Coast' with his photo "Humpback Whale" taken off Mullaghmore in Donegal Bay, a rare capture of these fascinating marine mammals at sunset.

“While on an afternoon boat trip in Donegal Bay last November I experienced this magical moment when a Humpback Whale tail fluked as the setting sun lit up the cliffs at Sliabh Liag in the distance,” Tom said.

This year over 560 photographers entered a total of 1,178 photos for a placement in the top three in one of five categories and their share of the €5,000 prize fund and for a shot at the coveted title of Photographer of the Year.

This year’s, Photographer Of The Year award went to Dublin photographer Maria Quigley who’s photograph, "Embrace the Water", was named the overall winner with her photo also taking first place in the new ‘Connecting with the Coast’ category.

The photo dreamily illustrates the subject Bobby, in the golden soft morning light during his daily swim. Maria explained the process of capturing her photo “I took this photo on January 9th, 2025, when the sea was 7°C and ice covered the slipway.

“Bobby, swims daily in the morning time all year-round, usually at Coliemore Harbour, his favourite spot. He says that missing a swim ruins his day. I was lucky to take the photo as the sun was rising at that time.”

The winners in all five categories are as follows:

1. Coastal Landscape: Seán Bruen with “Balbriggan Lighthouse Blowing a Gale”, taken at Lambeecher, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
2. Connecting with the Coast: Maria Quigley’s photo “Embrace the Water” taken in Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey, Co. Dublin
3. Wildlife and the Coast: Tom Ormond’s photo entitled “Humpback Whale”, taken at Donegal Bay Co. Donegal.
4. Underwater: Mark O'Leary’s photo “The Giants” captured at Loop Head Co. Clare
5. Source to Sea: Helen Black with “Let there be Light”, taken at Glendasan, Co. Wicklow.