THE WINNERS OF Diving Ireland’s Underwater Photography Competition have been announced – and the images bring Ireland’s underwater world “vividly to life”.

Members of Diving Ireland were invited to submit photographs they took in Irish waters highlighting Ireland’s marine life and underwater landscapes. 

Mark O’Leary was selected as the overall winner of the competition by the judging panel, whose image of a diver was recognised for its “composition, storytelling and technical quality”.

Awards were given in five categories: beginner, people, landscape, macro, and wide. The winners will be awarded at the Diving Ireland Expo today.

Overall winner, and winner of the wide category

Mark OLeary Mark OLeary

Beginner

First place in the beginner category, taken by Andrei Astrakharchik. Andrei Astrakharchik Andrei Astrakharchik

Second place in the beginner category, taken by Valentina Puotkalyte. Valentina Puotkalyte Valentina Puotkalyte

Third place, taken by Cornelia Krausz. Cornelia Krausz Cornelia Krausz

People

First place in the people category, taken by Stephen Frawley. Stephen Frawley Stephen Frawley

Second place, taken by Rebecca Cooley. Rebecca Cooley Rebecca Cooley

Third place, by Ciaran Ó Murchú. Ciaran O Murchu Ciaran O Murchu

Landscape

First place in landscape, by Seamus Campbell. Seamus Campbell Seamus Campbell

Second place in landscape, taken by Stewie Andrews. Stewie Andrews Stewie Andrews

Third place, by Emma McCann. Emma McCann Emma McCann

Macro

First place in the macro category, taken by John Collins. John Collins John Collins

Second place in macro, taken by Sinead Keys. Sinead Keys Sinead Keys

Third place, by Dominic Bulicz. Dominic Bulicz Dominic Bulicz

Wide

First place by Mark O’Leary, the overall winner.

Second place in the wide category, by Seamus Campbell. Seamus Campbell Seamus Campbell

Third place in wide, by Ivan Donoghue. Ivan Donoghue Ivan Donoghue