THE WINNERS OF this year’s Love Your Coast photography competition have been unveiled – and some of the winners have revealed the details behind the pictures.

Now in its 17th consecutive year, entrants were tasked with capturing the theme “impact” in their photos of Ireland’s coast and waterways.

This year over 390 photographers entered a total of 1,101 photographs.

Cork photographer Chris Martin snagged the top prize and first place in the wildlife and the coast category with his photo ‘A Bit of a Pinch’, which shows a “split-second encounter between an otter and its prey”.

Chris Martin's image titled A Bit of a Pinch has been named the overall 'Photo of the Year' winner in the Clean Coasts 2026 Love Your Coast photography competition. Chris Martin Chris Martin

The panel agreed that it showcased nature’s interaction, even in urban areas.

Speaking about the moment leading up to the photograph, Martin said one April evening, he followed the male otter along the River Lee in Cork city one evening, watching the animal examining the old quay walls.

“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.”

Tyrone Power, Bramzilla.

Tyrone Power, a finalist in the coastal landscape category, received the impact award this evening for his photo “Bramzilla”.

Taken at Tramore Pier, Co Waterford during Storm Bram in December 2025, the image captures a wave from the storm resembling a sea monster rising above the pier, the panel said.

Power said with the orange weather warning in place, he knew the pier would be the “ideal location” to shoot waves breaking over the harbour wall.

“I wasn’t expecting the conditions to be so spectacular!” he said. “For me, the wave resembles a roaring sea monster rising from the depths.”

First place winners in the other categories are as follows:

Coastal Landscape

Adrian Nolan’s photo “Stick Man”, taken at Salthill Promenade, Co Galway.

Adrian Nolan Adrian Nolan

People and the Coast

Paul Flynn’s image “In for a Dip”, taken at Inch Beach, Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry.

Paul Flynn Paul Flynn

Underwater

Éabha Hughes’ image entitled “World’s Best Dad” captured at Girl Arlene Shipwreck, Hook, Co Wexford.

Éabha Hughes Éabha Hughes

Source to Sea

Pawel Zygmunt’s photo “Tidal Rivers”, captured on Bull Island, Co Dublin. 

This image captures the pale blue channels of thawing waters in early spring revealing an abstract pattern across the landscape. Pawel Zygmunt Pawel Zygmunt