10 alluring travel pictures that will make you want to pack a bag to see the world...and Ireland
Travel

10 alluring travel pictures that will make you want to pack a bag to see the world...and Ireland

IRISH photographers have been sharing their incredible travel pictures taken while traversing the globe.

From Barcelona to Morocco, the Caribbean to Co. Clare, these exquisite images capture the beauty and diversity of the world’s landscapes and its people.

The 10 striking images have been shortlisted for this year’s Travel Photographer of the Year 2016 in Ireland – a Facebook competition run by Topflight and Cannon Ireland to find the country’s best travel photographer.

The winner, who will be announced on May 31 in Dublin, will get a Canon camera and a luxury holiday for two to Sorrento, Italy.

To see all the entries from this year’s competition click HERE 

Scroll down to see the 10 shortlisted travel photos...
caribbean-n

Trinidad and Tobago by Shiva Sreenivasan, Co. Fermanagh

Taken by Co Fermanagh’s Shiva Sreenivasan on a holiday to Trinidad and Tobago in December 2015, this picture shows a local vendor on Mt Irvine beach in Tobago who was selling aloe vera massages.

“He is known locally as Horsey and he allowed me to take his photograph,” Shiva said.

barcelona-n

Barcelona by Ollie Gargan, Co. Cavan

Nothing beats walking through Barcelona city on a beautiful September morning, says photographer Ollie Gargan.

The Co. Cavan-based man said: “Down every street and around every corner is something magical to photograph.

"This is one of my favourite of my whole trip. It’s simple and draws the viewer into the photo. I can’t wait to go back to the beautiful city and explore some more.”

water-n

Zanzibar by Robert O’Neill, Dublin

Dubliner Robert O’Neill took this striking picture while on honeymoon in Stonetown, Zanzibar. The black and white photograph depicts a young boy desperately collecting rain water.

“It was the first day it had rained in months and signified the end of the dry season and the start of the much needed rainy season,” Robert said.

"I was lucky enough to witness all the excitement from a relatively dry archway in the cities narrow streets.”

iceland-n

Iceland by Jason Keelan, Dublin

This beautiful images was captured on camera by Jason Keelan from Dublin.

“I took this photo in Iceland in April 2015,” he said. “Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice - the reflection of the sunset against the icebergs resembles fire at first glance.”

wedding-n

Morroco by Ger Power, Co. Meath

Wandering through Morocco proved the inspiration for Ger Power’s picture, which was taken in August 2014 in Tangier.

“I wandering around the medina in Tangier and I came across a pre-wedding ritual,” the Co. Meath-based photographer said.

“The family and friends of the groom were leading a young bull through the narrow medina streets.

"The bull was then slaughtered in a small square and everyone marked themselves with some blood. This girl caught my eye as she watched the events unfold.”

italy-n

Italy by Declan Keane, Co. Louth

Entitled Stars Over Manarola, this image shows one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre in Italy.

“Set among the rugged cliffs of Liguria these five ancient fishing villages are easily one of the most beautiful places in the world,” said Declan Keane, who took the picture in 2014 while on holiday with his fiancée Kate.

“Aside from its extraordinary beauty Cinque Terre has so much else to offer; from hillwalking to beaches to amazing local food and wine.”

desert-n

Southern Africa by Sandra Ní Sheaimpín, Co. Westmeath

The picture exudes a sense of calm and wonder.

It was taken by Sandra Ní Sheaimpín, who is based in Co. Westmeath, while walking along Dune 45 in the Namib Desert last July.

sunset-n

Ennis by Martin Molloy, Co. Clare

Splendidly simple is possibly the best way to describe this photograph by Co. Clare’s Martin Molloy.

Blue hour was shot at Ballyalla lake in Ennis, Co. Clare.

irishpub-n

Co. Clare by Seán Haughton, Co. Clare

Patience is a virtue and as this picture taken by Seán Haughton in Doolin, Co. Clare proves.

“I had been hoping to get this particular photo for some time, “he said. “The window of opportunity is small due to the sun’s location at this time of year. But on St Patrick’s Day, everything came together perfectly.”

Seán describes Doolin as one of Ireland’s most charming little villages.

“As the festivities were in full swing and all of Doolin’s four bars packed with people, an absolutely stunning Sunset was materialising over the village,” he said.

“By chance, it was St. Patrick’s Day, and by chance the conditions all came together to what was a perfect end to a perfect day on the west coast of Ireland.”

bali-n

Bali by Davey O'Connor, Co. Roscommon

This picture was taken by Roscommon-based Davey O’Connor on one of Bali’s lesser known beaches.

“This Balinese lady worked at a shack in Balangan beach,” he said. “I just wanted to get a picture of her.

"She had the look of someone who's seen a lot over the years. I think the black and white really highlights the weathered look in her face.”