The final month for Solas Club Year started with the result of Round 3 POTY “Open Colour” and “Narrative Portraiture”. 06-May-2026
Jennifer Willis, Chair of the Catchlight Camera Club, was our judge for the final rounds of the POTY for the advance and non- advance internal competitions, The themes for the month were “Open Colour” and “Narrative Portraiture”. Jennifer provided feedback and scores on over 80 images submitted for round 3. Jennifer put a huge amount of work into judging both themes and she particularly gave us some very interesting feedback on the images. Congratulations to all who entered and to our members who were successfully placed.
Non-Advanced – “Open Colour”
Advanced – “Open Colour”
Non-Advanced – “Narrative Portraiture”
Advanced – “Narrative Portraiture”
Long Weekend Trip to Inishmore, Aran Islands – 14th to 17th May 2026
A very special thank you to Solas Photography Club Treasurer Joe Silke for Organising the long weekend trip to Inishmore, Aran Islands. Joe planned a very detailed schedule for the weekend along with block booking accommodation for the Solas Photography Club members.
The weather was fantastic for the weekend, and the activities covered over the weekend included ferries to and from the islands, via the Cliffs of Moher on the way back offering a unique seal-level photography opportunity, photography opportunities all around the island including Kilronan Harbour, Dún Aonghasa, Poll na bPéist (Worm Hole), Kilmurvey Beach, Na Seach dTeampaill (Seven Churches), Dún Dú Chathair (Black Fort), as well as a number of evening coastal shoots, sunset on a cliff-top and Teampall Bheaná, and a bit of astro photography thrown in to top it off.
AGM and Awards Evening with SOLAS Committee – 20th May 2026
One of the most anticipated evenings of the club calendar, the Solas Photography Club AGM and the Awards Evening.
Enda O’Loughlin the Club Chair presented a summary of the year gone by for the club, reminding the members of the many activities, workshops, field trips, internal competitions such as the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) and the Photography of the Year (POTY) for both the non-advanced and the advanced members. Enda also reminded the club of the massive success the club had in the National Shield back in October. Joe Silke provided an update on the finances of the clun after the year and where we are heading into the new season. At the AGM a motion was passed to purchase a Sound System to help support speakers and audience members heading into the new season. We also elected our committee for the 2026/2027 season, with new and returning members excited to get organising for the year ahead!
We’re delighted to share the results of all our internal competitions:
- Annual Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) print competition 2026 (Non-Advanced & Advanced),
- POTY Digital Competition over 6 themes of 3 rounds.
We were delighted and honoured to have four renowned photographers and judges who have extensive photography experience which provided great feedback throughout the year, in total over 340 PDI and 30 printed images where submitted by members.
- Seamus Costelloe (FIPF) of Kilkenny Photographic Society – KPS who judged our Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) print competition
- Martin Kalvaster who judged Round 1 “Open Mono” & “Game of Sport” themes
- Suzanne Behan (FIPF, ARPS and Secretary of the Irish Photographic Federation) who judged Round 2 “Minimalism” & “Wildlife/Biodiversity”
- Jennifer Willis (FIPF) from Catchlight Camera Club who judged Round 3 “Open Colour” & “Narrative Portraiture”.
We are extremely grateful to the judges for their time, dedication and feedback throughout the year. We also offer special thanks to our competition secretaries Catherine O’Dowd and Anton Makarenko for co-ordinating the above competitions. Congratulations to all our members for entering and to all who received awards. Thank you to all our members who participated in all of our activities, workshops, photoshoots, social events, IPF Competitions and all our Solas Club Competitions.
Wild Atlantic Way
WAW – Non Advanced
1st – Marco de Clemente
2nd – Filipe Lopes
3rd – Sandra Buck
WAW – Advanced
1st – Des Glynn
2nd – Sigita Playdon
3rd – Owen Nally
POTY Individual Themed Awards
Non Advanced
Best Open Mono Photo:
Almila Tarakali
Best Game / Sports Photo:
Clár Ní Néill
Best Minimalism Photo:
Filipe Lopes
Best Wildlife / Biodiversity Photo: Glenn Nolan
Best Open Colour Photo:
Ger Considine
Best Narrative Portraiture Photo:
Michael Cullina
Advanced
Best Open Mono Photo:
Anton Makarenko
Best Game / Sports Photo:
Owen Nally
Best Minimalism Photo:
Catherin O’Dowd
Best Wildlife / Biodiversity Photo: Des Glynn
Best Open Colour Photo:
Sigita Playdon
Best Narrative Portraiture Photo:
Dermot Morris
Photographer of the Year
Non Advanced
1st – Filipe Lopes
2nd – Ger Considine
3rd – Clár Ní Néill
4th – Grainne Kelly
5th – Almila Tarakali
Advanced
1st – Sigita Playdon
2nd – Des Glynn
3rd – Owen Nally
4th – Anton Makarenko
5th – Enda O’Loughlin
