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Top amateurs capture Ireland's natural beauty in 12 snapshots

John Burke from Tipperary took top prize with his study of dolphins off the coast at Youghal.

Top Oil Calendar Comp Winner John Burke Dolphins July (1) John Burke, from Co Tipperary, won first prize with this shot of dolphins off the coast at Youghal, Co Cork. Ironically, he had been there for a spot of whale-watching. John Burke John Burke

THE NATURAL TREASURES of the island of Ireland are much-trumpeted – and with good cause. The annual Top Oil calendar competition is hitting its tenth anniversary this year and decided upon ‘Ireland Alive’ for its 2017 theme. Over 1,000 Irish amateur photographers entered this year and these are the images that will feature in 40,000 editions of the calendar this coming year:

Beach sand art, Kerry
1 / 12
  • Beach sand art, Kerry

    Breda Canty of Kerry captured the work of a local man who likes to make sand art on the beach at Ballybunion most weekends.
  • The Saltee islands

    John O'Neill of Waterford took this shot of gannets feathering their nest on the Saltees.
  • Upper Lake, Killarney

    Noel Salisid of Co Clare went to neighbouring Kerry for this perfectly still day.
  • Time out, Wicklow

    Declan Roche of Wexford spotted these deer at Glenealo Valley in Wicklow.
  • Snail reflects, Wexford

    Jackie Tighe got up close to this snail at Ballycanew.
  • Chasing waterfalls, Cork

    John Delaney was walking through Millinhassig Woods when he came across this "marvellous little waterfall" and took a half-second exposure with his Nikon.
  • Clogherhead, Louth

    Aubrey Martin of Meath took some aerial shots of the pier on a visit to shoot some seascapes.
  • The Liffey at sunset

    Pawel Zygmunt of Dublin does not generally shoot cityscapes but couldn't resist the mirror image of the quays on a quiet Liffey.
  • Doolin in October

    Sean Haughton of Clare took this sunset shot on St Patrick's Day - while the four bars in Doolin were packed with revellers, the road was deserted.
  • Flying kites, Offaly

    Paul Moore took this picture of his children flying a kite on Croghan Hill.
  • Snowy day in Roundwood

    Keith Malone from Wicklow was the People's Choice in the competition with this wintery scene in Roundwood.
  • Dolphins, Co Cork

    John Burke, from Co Tipperary, won first prize with this shot of dolphins off the coast at Youghal. Ironically, he had been there for a spot of whale-watching.

Dublin photographer’s portraits leave stars with ‘nowhere to hide’>

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    Mute John Doyle
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    Nov 20th 2016, 10:36 AM

    Brilliant images. Well done all

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    Mute mike knightson
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    Nov 20th 2016, 11:08 AM

    Doolin in October? St Patricks day? That was some session

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    Mute Robespierre
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    Nov 20th 2016, 11:04 AM

    It’s not ironic to go whale watching & then snap dolphins. In any way.

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    Mute Michael Clinton
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    Nov 20th 2016, 10:45 AM

    Just amazing pictures , well done all .

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Nov 20th 2016, 11:27 AM

    hard to choose a favourite .. all great photos !

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    Mute Oliver P. Dunne
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    Nov 20th 2016, 12:35 PM

    Amazing photo of the children flying their kite on Croghan Hill in Offaly. Also lovely photo of the deer’s at Wicklow.

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    Mute Cathal P Forde
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    Nov 20th 2016, 11:37 AM

    Beautiful absolutely beautiful pictures. Well done

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    Mute Ginny Hanrahan
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    Nov 20th 2016, 12:37 PM

    Stunning. Wonderful to know that people with a passion for photography have managed to get such beautiful images of Ireland. Thank you

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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Nov 20th 2016, 5:25 PM

    Nice photos. Better than the usual collections of non-description out-of-focus randomness on display at the journal.ie. Well done with this collection.

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    Mute classic
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    Nov 20th 2016, 3:23 PM

    Beautiful

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    Mute artur filip
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    Nov 20th 2016, 4:03 PM

    Lovely photographs I am photographer myself plenty of pictures from Ireland here https://youpic.com/photographer/arthurphotos/

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    Mute Joe Boyle
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    Nov 20th 2016, 10:51 PM

    All photoshopped or edited in some way or another! Not that great..get me some Raw shots and I’ll be impressed

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Nov 20th 2016, 3:41 PM

    Absolute amazing pictures Clogger head pic brings back camping memories

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    Mute Irish big fellow
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    Nov 20th 2016, 5:37 PM

    We keep forgetting how nice Ireland is and we need these type of shots to remind us. Lovely and inspiring photos

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