Derek Bolton came came first in the ‘Underwater’ category of the 2023 Clean Coasts LYC photo competition with ‘Emerald Jewel’, featuring a beatifully captured Jewel Anemone, taken in Sovereign Island in Co Cork.

FIRST PLACE

UNDERWATER

Peek-A-Boo!

Pollock Holes, Kilkee, Co Clare

The Pollock Holes in Kilkee boast exceptional biodiversity and are truly a hidden gem along the west coast. It doesn't matter how many times I've snorkelled them; every visit surprises me with a new species or a stunning little vista tucked beneath a rock. After playing peek-a-boo with my camera and this Red Blenny, it confidently poked its head out just long enough for me to get the shot.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Eabha A. Hughes

Ryan Murray came second in the ‘Underwater’ category as part of the the 2023 Clean Coasts Love Your Coast photography competition with the ‘Basking Shark Plankton Buffer’, an image taken at Ventry Bay in Co Kerry.

SECOND PLACE

UNDERWATER

Barrel Jellyfish

Killiney beach, CO DUBLIN

I took up sea photography during covid19 I wanted to learn a new skill during the lockdown i've been capturing images in the east coast of Ireland specifically Dublin bay. I work as a beach lifeguard throughout the summer months. A lot of people strongly dislike jellyfish during the time in the water due to likelihood of getting stung off them. This picture was taken in Killiney beach of a barrel jellyfish a lot of people unaware that barrel jellyfish do no sting they are harmless.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Gordon Leonard

Richard O’ Donnell came third in the 2023 LYC ‘Underwater’ category with this image, ‘Sun Bathing Compass Jelly Fish’, taken at The Birds in Valentia Island, Co Kerry.

THIRD PLACE

UNDERWATER

Blenny Buddies

Ardmore, Co Waterford

I have visited this particularly large rockpool in Ardmore for about a decade now, which a large group of about a dozen common blennies call home. This group began to recognise and trust me ever since I started feeding them some lunch scraps many years ago. They are also curious and inquisitive, which allowed me to capture their comical poses and interactions with eachother up close in natural light on a sunny afternoon.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Shazia Waheed

Ivan Donoghue was shortlisted in the ‘Underwater’ category with ‘Collision Avoidance’, an image taken at The Saltee Islands in Co Wexford.

Nudibranch

Knights Town, Valentia Island, CO KERRY

Snorkeling around the pontoons in the marina at knights town. and came across this nudibranch which I believe to be Coryphella chriskaugei. thought the difference between the shades of red of the nudibranch and the seaweed it was on was lovely.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Anna Kellagher

Ivan Donoghue's image ‘Permission to Land’ features the air bubbles of a diver exhaling while swimming at Hook Head, Co Wexford; a finalist in the ‘Underwater’ category.

Compass Jellyfish

Kilkee, Co Clare

I love to capture the marine life and underwater landscapes around Kilkee, and this day, despite the swell and rainy weather (- in July!) we kitted up and headed out to Middle Rock. During the safety stop, I spotted this compass jellyfish, whose glowing bell and trailing tentacles immediately caught my eye. No better way to end a dive.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Mark O'Leary

Maja Stankovski's image ‘My First Basking Shark’ captures the curiosity of a shark intrigued by a human in the water at Skellig Michael in Co Kerry; a finalist in the ‘Underwater’ category.

Curious Squat Lobster

Doulus HeaD, Co Kerry

This Curious Squat Lobster was quite happy to pose which is quite out of character .They are usually quite elusive. I waited patiently and sure enough I was eventually treated to this composition. Image taken on open circuit Scuba in 20 metres depth.The Ceancoasts of Stunning Co Kerry. With thanks to my dive club Inbhear Sceine Sub Aqua club.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Richie O Donnell

Mark Thomas took this striking image, entitled ‘Plaice Face’, at Aughrus Bay in Claddaghduff, Co Galway; a finalist in the ‘Underwater’ category.

Mulroy Bouquet

Mulroy Bay, CO Donegal

Mulroy Bouquet was taken whilst snorkelling of Woodquarter pier in Mulroy Bay. This is my favourite and most regular snorkelling spot, the diversity of the marine life, sea squirts, shellfish, sponges always fascinates me and keeps me coming back for more. Each month offers a new insight into marine life and being able to see it come to life in Spring and reinvent itself differently every year is just a gift. There is an anundance of anemones in the Bay and these beautiful ones planted themselves like a bouquet on this sea weed. It was picture perfect.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Sinead McCahey

Shazia Waheed's beautful image ‘Shore Clingfish’ was taken at Kilmore Quay in Co Wexford; a finalist in the ‘Underwater’ category.

Cray on Carpet of Jewels

Blacksod, CO Mayo

A group of underwater Photographers (some past winners of LYC!) got together this summer to spend 4 days diving out of Blacksod with the goal of diving some of Mayo's pristine diving spots. Our objective was to reach Blackrock if the weather was right, but we were aware that visiting the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 crash site was frowned upon. We earned the trust of the local captain who guided our diving. On the last day, during calm conditions on slack tide, he brought us to the rock. We observed a few moments of silence thinking about the fate of the brave crew lost there before we dropped in on the North side far away from the crash site. We were gifted with bright clear water covered in jewel and beadlet anemones with many healthy crayfish clinging on to the steep terrain.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Orth

Rory Maccanna was shortlisted for this beautiful image, entitled ‘Common Blenny’, taken on Coral Strand Beach in Carraroe, Co Galway; a finalist in the ‘Underwater’ category.

Small But Mighty

Kilcummin Pier, Co Mayo

Sepiola Atlantica (bobtail squid) are always a pleasure to see diving. After a long Friday drive to Mayo from Dublin arriving late, we went for a relaxing night dive ahead of the weekend. We were rewarded for our efforts in the dark with many a small squid dancing in our lights, including this little fella here. They grow to a max size of 6cm, yet are full of character, which truly makes them small but mighty.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Frawley

Maria McSweeney was scuba diving when she captured this image entitled ‘Moon Jellyfish Bloom’, taken at Seal's House Dive Site in Inis Mór, Co Galway; a finalist in the ‘Underwater’ category.

DonMcCarthy at Greenane Caves West Entrance

Bere Island, Co Cork

This was a day with a rare mix of perfect conditions, clear skies with calm waters and midday sun for maximum light. Also add in my dive buddy Don McCarthy who is a highly experienced diver within Diving Ireland and was happily showing me this amazing location. We entered the swim through from the North side and travelled a good 50 meters inside as all light faded to complete dark. Just when you think there is no end a glimmer of light is revealed to your right from the West exit. It was at this exit that I captured Don as we returned to the system to explore further swim throughs within the system. This was not a confined dive (reserved for Technical Cave divers) but feels like one due to light levels dropping as the cave roof blocks sunlight entering. An amazing adventure with many photographs taken along the way.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Derek Bolton