Stunning Local Landscapes Celebrated in Annual AONB Photography Competition

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has announced the winners of its annual amateur photography competition to celebrate the district’s three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs): the Mournes, the Ring of Gullion and Strangford and Lecale.

Each year, the winning entries are published in the AONB Calendar, an annual publication that showcases the district’s most captivating landscapes through the lens of amateur photographers.
The 2025 competition received a high level of interest, with an impressive range of images capturing the natural beauty of the district. Judging took place on Tuesday 9 September, with a panel comprising of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell; Ards and North Down Borough Council Mayor, Councillor Gillian McCollum; and Chairperson of the Mourne Heritage Trust, Mr David Maginn.
First place was awarded to Enda Quinn from Newry for his remarkable image ‘Binnian’s Sunset’, taken in the Mourne Mountains. Daphne Ferguson from Killyleagh secured second place with her springtime image ‘Bursting with Springtime’ captured in Killyleagh. The Under 18 Category was won by Paul McVerry from Whitecross for his striking photograph ‘St John’s Evening Sky’ taken at Killough.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “This competition, organised by the Council’s AONB and Geopark management team, provides an opportunity for amateur photographers to capture and share the stunning diverse natural landscapes that define our district, which is now internationally recognised as the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark. The standard of entries was outstanding, and I look forward to seeing the final selection showcased in the 2026 AONB Calendar.”

The 2026 AONB Calendar will be available ahead of the Christmas season, with further details on the AONB websites.

The next round of the competition will launch alongside the release of the calendar, with entries invited for the 2026 edition.

A full gallery of the winning and finalist images from the 2025 competition are now available to view at www.ringofgullion.org.