Six winning photographers have been announced in the inaugural “Our Ireland, Our EU” Photo Competition, a national initiative celebrating the positive impact of Government of Ireland and EU co-funded projects and initiatives across Ireland.
Organised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and hosted on EUFunds.ie, the competition invited members of the public to capture photographs highlighting how European Union funding is making a difference in communities throughout the country.
The competition received 164 entries from across Ireland. Following eligibility checks, 82 photographs were published for public voting. More than 2,600 voters cast votes during the public voting period.
The competition featured two categories:
- Category 1 – EU-Funded Projects: Places & Spaces
- Category 2 – EU-Funded Activities: People & Participation
The winners, determined by public vote, are:
Category 1 – EU-Funded Projects: Places & Spaces
| Place | Winner | Photograph | EU Fund |
| First | Ruth Tapial | “Vigilant Commodore” Cresent Quay, Wexford | ERDF |
| Second | Kartikeya Rana | “There’s room here for all of us” Dún Laoghaire Baths, Dublin | ERDF |
| Third | Jessica Dale | “I Am (On Time)” Kent Train Station, Cork | NRRP |
Category 2 – EU-Funded Activities: People & Participation
| Place | Winner | Photograph | EU Fund |
| First | Claudia Finnerty | “Summer at the Pier” Aughris Pier, Sligo | BAR |
| Second | Aoife Claffey | “Interwoven Networks” MTU, Cork | ERDF |
| Third | Dr Alan Magee | “When robots draw the line” MTU, Cork | ERDF |
In addition to the photography prizes, all registered voters were entered into a draw for a €1,500 Abbey Travel voucher, awarded to Gráinne Mullen, Co Sligo, who was selected at random.
Minister Jack Chambers TD said:
“The photographs submitted to the competition beautifully capture the real-world impact of EU investment in communities across Ireland. Through their creativity and storytelling, the winning photographers have helped illustrate how EU funding supports people, places and opportunities throughout the country.”
The winners will be presented with their prizes by Minister Chambers at a ceremony in Government Buildings in mid July 2026.
The Department would like to thank everyone who entered the competition, participated in the public vote and helped highlight the contribution of Government of Ireland and EU co-funded projects and programmes across Ireland.
For more information and to view the winning entries, visit: https://eufunds.ie/photo-competition/winners/