Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Photo Competition Deadline Fast Approaching

Budding photographers across the district are reminded to capture their unique perspective of our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty before 15 August.

Each year, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hosts an amateur photography competition to highlight the splendour of the district's three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The winning photographs from across The Mournes, The Ring of Gullion and Strangford and Lecale are then compiled into the highly sought after AONB calendar.

The Ring of Gullion, Mourne, and Strangford and Lecale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) annual competition is open to all amateur photographers who want to celebrate and share the beauty of our local landscapes through the seasons

This year’s theme – ‘Magnificent Mourne Gullion Strangford! Our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the seasons’ – invites entries that capture the spirit of the AONB across the year. Whether it's local wildlife, dramatic landscapes, or moody seasonal skies, the competition is a chance to share your vision of these stunning natural areas.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Philip Campbell said, “We’re delighted to bring this much-loved competition back to the people of Newry, Mourne and Down. This competition is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to connect with our stunning landscapes and share their unique perspectives through photography.

“We’re particularly keen to see more entries from young photographers under 14, as their fresh and creative vision often captures the magic of these places in unexpected ways. Whether it’s a family walk in the Mournes, a school trip to the Ring of Gullion, or a day out along Strangford Lough, we want to see the AONBs through their eyes!”

Photographs must be landscape in orientation and of sufficient quality and size to be considered for inclusion in the 2026 AONB Calendar, which will feature the winning images. The deadline for submissions is strictly 5pm on 15 August.

The competition features two age categories, with prizes awarded as follows:

• Over 18s: 1st Prize – £100; 2nd Prize – £50
• Under 18s: 1st Prize – £50

Entries will be judged by a panel of local experts, and the winning photographs will be featured in the popular 2026 AONB Calendar, a celebration of the region’s natural beauty distributed across the district.

Entrants are encouraged to view past winners on the Ring of Gullion website. Information on how to enter with full terms and conditions can be found at: https://ringofgullion.org/news/amateur-photography-competition/

To find inspiration why not visit the three AONB websites: www.ringofgullion.org, www.mournelive.com, www.strangfordlough.org; or visit your local woodland, beach or park on your daily walk and see what inspires you there. The AONBs Calendar is funded via the Carrier Bag Levy, by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, an Agency within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.