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THIS iconic award-winning image of the August Perseid in Ballinskelligs, captured on camera by Killarney photographer Don MacMonagle, is one of a host of must-see pictures on display in Killarney library. And we would advise you to be quick if you haven’t already seized the prime opportunity to enjoy the Press Photographer of the Year 2016 exhibition, as it concludes this Thursday.

Killarney’s first citizen Councillor Brendan Cronin put Kerry photographers in the picture earlier this month when he cut the ribbon on the prestigious display in the library on Rock Road.

The chairman of Killarney Municipal District was extremely impressed with the collection of winning and shortlisted images from the annual awards organised by the Press Photographers Association of Ireland.

“I want to congratulate our own Don MacMonagle who came first in the Nature and Environment section with a beautiful image of Ballinskelligs at night,” said Cllr Cronin.

“I am delighted also that the work of Valerie O'Sullivan and Domnick Walsh was shortlisted. The unique talent of press photographers to capture a moment in time and the ability to relay a particular story with a photograph is something to be truly admired.”

Over 2,000 images were entered into the annual awards this year, by 103 photographers from around the country. Awards were presented across nine categories: news, daily life and people, nature and the environment, politics, sports action, sports feature, portrait, art and entertainment and reportage.

Mark Condren, Irish Independent, was named ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2016’, his fourth time to receive the accolade.
 

 
Nocturnal view during August Perseid looking southwest over McCarthy's Castle and Horse Island Ballinskelligs Beach, the only designated gold-tier International Dark-Sky Reserve in the Northern Hemisphere.
PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE