Reach for the Stars: Ireland’s Best Astrophotography Revealed
An aurora over golden fields, a comet streaking across the night sky, and a distant nebula are among the winning images in this year’s Reach for the Stars competition, Ireland’s biggest astrophotography contest. The competition is organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).
The 2025 edition attracted more than 170 entries from across Ireland, featuring photographs taken between 26 April 2024 and 2 June 2025. The judging panel included Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS, Michael McCreary, President of the Irish Astronomical Society, Dr Lisa McNamee, co-founder of Space Medicine Ireland, and Alan Betson, Irish Times photographer and multiple winner of the Press Photographer of the Year award.
Winners were announced ahead of a private awards ceremony at DIAS yesterday. An exhibition of winning and shortlisted photographs opens to the public today.
Night Sky in Your Hand
This category is open to images taken with a smartphone and no telescope.
Winner: Anthony Lynch, Dublin, for Comet Catcher. Taken in Phoenix Park, the photo shows Lynch reaching towards Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks at twilight.
Out of this World – Planetary
Images of planets, the sun and moon.
Winner: Brian O’Halloran, Annestown, Co. Waterford, for Comet Tsuchinshan ATLAS, In All Its Glory. Captured in Dunabrattin, Co. Waterford, the image shows the comet at perihelion with striking clarity.
Out of this World – Deep Sky
Images of objects beyond our solar system.
Winner: Martin McCormack, Dublin, for the second consecutive year. His Winter Nebula in Bloom captures the Rosette Nebula, 5,200 light-years from Earth, from Glasnevin. Judges praised the technical skill required to capture the distant nebula.
Back on Earth – Landscape
Images combining astronomy and natural landscapes.
Winner: Raluca Lica, Narraghmore, Co. Kildare, for Aurora Above the Golden Fields. The photograph shows a geomagnetic storm illuminating a golden field, creating a strong sense of presence.
Back on Earth – Landmark
Astronomical images featuring buildings or monuments.
Winner: Liam Reddall, Dublin, for The Voyager in Laytown, Co. Meath. Using a fisheye lens and long exposure, he captured the Voyager statue under the night sky and streetlamp light.
People’s Choice Award
Chosen by public vote.
Winner: Anthony Lynch for Symmetry, a panorama of the Milky Way over train tracks in Lough Boora Park, Co. Offaly.
Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said, “The Reach for the Stars competition continues to reveal the incredible talent of Ireland’s astrophotographers. These images showcase technical skill and inspire curiosity about the universe.”
Professor Gallagher added, “Now in its fifth year, the competition has reached new heights. Rare appearances of the Aurora Borealis in Ireland have sparked fresh interest in astrophotography. The skill on display makes judging more challenging than ever.”
The Reach for the Stars competition is run by DIAS in partnership with The Irish Times, sponsored by MKC Communications and the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.
