World Water Day 'My Favourite Waterbody' Photo Competition 2026

What’s it all about? 

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.  

We 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 My Favourite Waterbody is a great way for people to share their appreciation of the waterbodies that sustain and surround us.

We would like to hear why you love your favourite waterbody so please include a few lines with your entry.  

The competition is open to anyone across Ireland, but entries from those under 18 years of age must be submitted by their parent/guardian. If your photo includes children then only a parent/guardian may submit the content.  

Why should you get involved? 

• You get a chance to showcase your favourite waterbody and why it’s special to you.  

• The overall winner will receive a €550 voucher for Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

• The top photos will be featured in LAWPRO’s 2027 calendar and winners will receive a calendar along with their prize.  

• There will be an overall winner and three runners-up prizes.  

Competition Guidelines 

• The theme of the competition is “My Favourite Waterbody” and it should be encouraging and inspiring for others to go out and enjoy nature. 

• Photographs can be taken using any smart phone, compact camera, DLSR camera etc.  

• We would prefer if photos do not contain any individual who is recognisable.  

• All photographs must be taken between within the last six months on the island of Ireland (including Ireland’s islands and marine territory) and photos must be submitted to LAWPRO via the portal by 5pm on Friday 22nd May 2026. 

• All entries should be in format of JPEG, PNG or TIF (max. 15 MB).

• The photographer must not have won a previous prize with the photo they are entering.  

The winner will be determined by a judging panel whose decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.  

By entering the promotion and submitting your photograph, you hereby grant LAWPRO a license to use your photograph. LAWPRO will never use your photograph for profit and will always credit the original photographer where possible. Image copyright remains with the original photographer. 

Privacy, Data protection and consent 

We take our responsibilities in relation to protecting your data seriously. We require your consent to hold your data, by entering a photo into the competition you are consenting to this.  

Your submitted photo may feature in the following areas: 

• Local or national media 

• Publications or on a website 

• Reports or promotional material including social media 

All personal data that Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) may use will be collected, processed and held in accordance with the provisions of EU Regulation 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’). We will only use this information in relation to your entry to the “My favourite waterbody” photo competition and will not use it for any other purposes whatsoever. Your personal information will be retained for as long as is required for the purposes outlined above. 

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