AIB Press Photographer of Year Awards Exhibition 2026 comes to the Index Gallery, Waterford Central Library
The AIB Press Photographer of Year Awards Exhibition comes to the Index Gallery, in Waterford’s Central Library, Lady Lane from May 8th to May 22nd, and the event will be launched by award-winning photographer Mark Condren on Wednesday, May 13th.
Superb skill and judgement against strong competition saw Mark Condren of Mediahuis Ireland lift the AIB Press Photographer of the Year trophy for a record seventh time at a glittering ceremony in Dublin recently. The annual awards, now in their 48th year, include a collection of more than 100 iconic images and videos that tell the story of 2025 in pictures.
A native of Castletownroche, Co. Cork, Condren began his career with Cork local newspaper The Avondhu before later working with The Corkman and The Sunday Tribune. Renowned for his cutting-edge news images as well as his sensitively curated human interest photography, Condren’s portfolio was hailed for its compelling storytelling and impact across the breadth of the competition.
The judges commented, “In a very strong field, this photographer’s work nonetheless stood out. They presented an exceptional range of subject matter across multiple categories which instantly provoked interest and admiration for the superb skill and judgment on display. Iconic moments of human suffering and human joy elevate the work of this press photographer beyond the immediate and the graphic, provoking reflections on our contemporary world at a time of chaos and of great change.”
“Despite the external noise of fake images and AI-generated doubt, Mark Condren’s work is a reminder of the need not only for truthful images but also technical skills and creativity,” commented David Branigan, President of Press Photographers Ireland CLG.
Awards were presented across 11 distinct categories – News, Daily Life & People, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Portrait, Nature & the Environment, Politics, Arts & Entertainment, Reportage, Multimedia and the newly launched Public Relations category in addition to the AIB Sustainability Award, Irish Country Life Award and Best Use of Technology Award.
The AIB Sustainability Award was presented to Kerry freelance photographer Valerie O’Sullivan for her attentively shot reportage work, entitled ‘Reviving, Restoring, Re-Thatching’, which visually documents the re-thatching of an old family dwelling using the ancient craft of thatching. The judges cited O’Sullivan’s collection of images as being “a delightful use of colour and composition”. The striking AIB Sustainability award, “True Inspiration”, carved by the artist Éibhlin Ní Chonaile of Celtic Roots Studio, was created from ancient bogwood over 5,000 years old.
Mayo photographer Michael McLaughlin was presented with the Best Use of Technology Award and 1st prize in Multimedia for his video ‘The Ties That Bind’ a rural life portrait illustrating the story of a restored vintage grain binder and its use on the land. The Judges commented that the video “stood out thanks to the range of shots, fine drone photography, well-paced editing and good use of interview clips”.
The Irish Country Life Award was awarded to Galway-based photographer, Rynes Walker of Rynes Walker Photography, for his image ‘The One That Didn’t Get Away’ of a young boy catching an errant ewe lamb whilst herding ewes to the sale ring for the Connemara/Mayo Blackface Breeders Group Premier Breeding sale, with the Judges commenting that the image “superbly and humorously illustrates the natural ease of children with their environment and the daily work of the farm”.
All the winning and short-listed images from the ‘AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2026’ can be viewed in the touring exhibition visiting various venues across the country over the coming year.
The exhibition will run in the Index Gallery, Central Library, Lady Lane, Waterford from May 8th to May 22nd with launch at 6pm on Wednesday, May 13th with Mark Condren. All are welcome to attend.
For further details on the exhibition and to view the winning images, please visit www.pressphotographers.ie
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