My Favourite Waterbody

Every year, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) invites people from across Ireland to enter ‘My Favourite Waterbody’, a national photography competition celebrating the country’s rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters.  

We encourage everyone to explore and appreciate their local waters, whether it’s a quiet stream, a winding river, or a favourite beach. Our natural waters are places to explore, enjoy, and connect with and My Favourite Waterbody is a great way for people to share their appreciation of the waterbodies that sustain and surround us.

Share the story of your favourite waterbody!

My Favourite Waterbody 2026

NOW OPEN: My Favourite Waterbody 2026 opens for entries on 22nd March 2026.

How to enter

The competition is open to anyone across Ireland, but entries from those under 18 years of age must be submitted by their parent/guardian. If your photo includes children then only a parent/guardian may submit the content.  

You can enter the competition by visiting our dedicated application portal. 

Why should you get involved? 

• You get a chance to showcase your favourite waterbody and why it’s special to you.  

• The overall winner will receive a €550 voucher for Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

• The top photos will be featured in LAWPRO’s 2027 calendar and winners will receive a calendar along with their prize.  

• There will be an overall winner and three runners-up prizes.  

Launch of competition   22nd March 2026
Gather your photos   22nd March to 22nd May 2026
Submit your photo entry by this deadline  5pm on Friday 22nd May 2026
Winners notified by  Thursday 25th June 2026 

Competition Guidelines 

  • The theme of the competition is “My Favourite Waterbody” and it should be encouraging and inspiring for others to go out and enjoy nature. 
  • Photographs can be taken using any smart phone, compact camera, DLSR camera etc.  
  • We would prefer if photos do not contain any individual who is recognisable.  
  • All photographs must be taken between within the last six months on the island of Ireland (including Ireland’s islands and marine territory) and photos must be submitted to LAWPRO via the portal by 5pm on Friday 22nd May 2026. 
  • All entries should be in format of JPEG, PNG or TIF (max. 15 MB).
  • The photographer must not have won a previous prize with the photo they are entering.  
  • The winner will be determined by a judging panel whose decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.  
  • By entering the promotion and submitting your photograph, you hereby grant LAWPRO a license to use your photograph. LAWPRO will never use your photograph for profit and will always credit the original photographer where possible. Image copyright remains with the original photographer. 
Enter here

My Favourite Waterbody 2025

In 2025, the overall competition winner is Raivis Rodenbikers, from Tralee in Co. Kerry for his photo of Lough Caum, Co. Kerry. Raivis won the top prize of a €500 voucher for Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa in Co. Wicklow along with a framed print of his winning photo.

The runners-up awards were as follows; Sean Nikken, with his photo of the River Nore at Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, Brigid Mullooly, with her photo of the River Shannon, in Co. Longford, and Cheryl Poole, with her photo of the River Bann in Co. Wexford.

River Nore, Co. Kilkenny

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Runners-up River Nore Kilkenny: Runners-up of the ‘My Favourite Waterbody’ national photography competition, Sean Nikken’s photo of the River Nore at Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny.

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My Favourite Waterbody 2024

In 2024, one overall winner and five runners up were selected in the ‘My Favourite Waterbody’ photo competition. 

The overall winner was Lee Williamson, from Lanesborough in Co. Longford for his photo of Lough Ree, Co. Longford. Lee is also the regional winner for the Midlands & East and won the top prize of a €500 voucher for Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa in Co. Wicklow along with an A3 framed print of his winning photo.

The other regional winners were as follows Jimmy O’Neill, with his photo of Hollywood Lake in Scotstown, Co. Monaghan, Marie Melvin, with her photo of Lacken, Blessington Lake in Co. Wicklow, John Collins with his photo of Derryclare Lough, in Galway and Dalia Guzauskaite, with her photo from Connemara.

Derryclare Lough, Co. Galway by John Collins

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