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LAWPRO Launches National Photography Competition Celebrating Ireland’s Waters

World Water Day ‘My Favourite Waterbody’ Photo Competition 2026.

2025 winner Raivis Rodenbikers with his photo of Lough Caum. — My Favourite Waterbody 2025 Overall Winner, Lough Caum in Co. Kerry by Raivis Rodenbikers.

Two people standing on a wooden jetty beside a reed‑filled lakeshore at sunset. The sun is low on the horizon, casting orange and gold reflections across the calm water, with light clouds scattered in the sky. — My Favourite Waterbody 2025 Overall Winner, Lough Caum in Co. Kerry by Raivis Rodenbikers.

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.

Speaking about the competition, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at LAWPRO said:

“World Water Day on Sunday 22nd March is a day that marks the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of water resources. It is a perfect day to launch our annual national photo competition – My Favourite Waterbody.

Last year, we were delighted by the public’s engagement in the competition, and this year we again 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 LAWPRO’s photo competition is a great way for people to share their appreciation of the waterbodies that sustain and surround us.”

The overall winner will receive a €550 voucher to enjoy a luxurious stay in Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, along with an A3 framed print of the winning photo. Three runners-up will also receive framed prints of their entries. A selection of the best photos will also be curated for inclusion in the publication of LAWPRO’s 2027 calendar.

The competition opens on 22nd March to anyone from across Ireland.
If you are under 18 years of age, your entry must be submitted by a parent/guardian.
If your photo features anyone aged under 18 years of age, only their parent/guardian may submit the content.
The closing date for entries is 5pm, Friday 22nd May 2026.

Submit your entry here

Explore, capture and celebrate your favourite waterbody this World Water Day, and share why it is important to you with the nation.

A shallow, clear river flowing over light‑coloured stones, surrounded by dense green trees and vegetation. Sunlight filters through the branches, and a small waterfall is visible in the background beneath a wall of ivy. — My Favourite Waterbody 2025 Runner-up, Cheryl Poole’s photo of the River Bann in Co. Wexford.

A stone bridge with multiple arches crossing a wide river on a misty morning. The riverbank in the foreground is frosted, and a line of trees stands in the background with mist rising above them. — My Favourite Waterbody 2025 Runner-up, Cheryl Poole’s photo of the River Bann in Co. Wexford.

Learn more

Visit www.lawaters.ie/MyFavouriteWaterbody to learn more about this year’s competition and to see the prize winners from previous years.

If you have any queries about your submission please email photocomp@lawaters.ie

Check out 2025 winners: Lough Caum photo scoops top prize in National Photography Competition – Catchments.ie – Catchments.ie

Check out 2024 winners: Lough Ree photo scoops top prize in LAWPRO’s ‘My Favourite Waterbody’ national photography competition – Catchments.ie – Catchments.ie

About author

EPA Catchments Unit

Administrator

The EPA Catchments Unit is based in Dublin, and the team is involved with catchment science, chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology, modelling, Geographic Information Systems and planning. We work with the wider EPA, all of our local authorities, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and other public bodies and Departments to ensure we have the best available data and information about our catchments.

Who is involved?
Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

Local Authority Waters Programme

The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.