local

Coolaney Bovine Beauty is Sligo’s ‘Finest Thing’!

The winners of the Western Development Commission’s (WDC) LookWest.ie ‘Fine Things’ photo competition have been announced.

The winning photograph ‘Reflections of Donegal’ was taken by Donal Kearney of Co. Donegal and depicts a child pondering life whilst overlooking the beautiful Lough Fad in Co Donegal. Donal wins a fabulous prize of a weekend for four people at the stunning Lisloughrey Lodge, in Cong, Co Mayo.

Seven county prizes were also awarded for the most popular photo from each county in the competition.  

Val Robus from Coolaney, Co Sligo won the County Sligo prize for her photograph ‘Moo’ taken of her bovine neighbours. Val wins a lunch at the sublime Shells Seaside Bakery & Cafe in Strandhill, Co Sligo and a signed copy of their fantastic new cookbook the Surf Café Cookbook a compilation of easy to make and tasty recipes, tips from local producers, a guide to the beautiful area of Strandhill and its vibrant culture.

Ian Brannigan, Acting CEO of the WDC said, “When we launched the competition, we knew it would capture people’s imagination because nothing better sums up living in the Western Region than a stunning photograph. We were delighted with the response, with over 700 entries and over 2,000 members of the public voting for the shortlisted top 70 photos. Some of the photos submitted were truly spectacular and it can’t have been easy for people to pick their favourite.”

Joanne Grehan, Regional Development Executive at the WDC said, “Val Robus’ photo is fantastic – it’s rural charm represents so much of what is great about the West of Ireland.  The huge response to the competition shows that people in the West and those with a West of Ireland connection, both at home and abroad, are really proud of their region and want to play an active part in promoting it as an excellent location for enterprise and employment. These photos will help us to showcase the magic that make the Western Region such a great place to live, work and do business.”

Joanne added, “Because the competition was promoted online, we were able to use the popularity of social media and our large following on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn to spread the message about the many advantages and benefits of living, working and doing business in the Western Region.”

The Western Development Commission would like to extend sincere thanks to its promotional partners - Lisloughrey Lodge, 'A Taste of Donegal' Food Festival, Shells Seaside Bakery and Cafe, McGuire's Irish Cottages, Electric Escapes Tours, Frances Crowe, the Burren Smokehouse, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ailwee Cave and the Burren Birds of Prey Centre, Atlantaquaria Salthill, Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Lough Key Boat Tours, Saoirse na Mara - Sea Kayaking Trips, Clew Bay Bike Hire and Leim Siar Bed and Breakfast - for supporting the LookWest.ie Photo Contest.

LookWest.ie was launched by the WDC in 2004 as a guide to living, working and doing business in the Western Region. Alongside the award winning LookWest.ie website, which receives over 25,000 visitors each month, the initiative works in partnership with relevant state agencies and Local Authorities and is developing links with the Irish Diaspora to promote inward investment and job creation in the region.


Left : Overall 'Fine Things' Competition Winner: ‘Reflections of Donegal’ by Donal Kearney from Buncrana, Co Donegal.



Top Photo ::: County Sligo Winner: ‘Moo’ by Val Robus from Coolaney, Co. Sligo.