BLENNERVILLE Windmill and Fenit Lighthouse are two of the two most popular Tralee Bay landmarks for photographers who submitted pictures in a campaign to promote the region as a top destination for visitors driving along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Over 500 photographs portraying the heritage, culture and beauty of the region were entered into the Tralee Chamber Alliance competition on Radio Kerry and so overwhelming was the response, it took nearly a month to decide on the top 20 photos.
A sunset over Fenit Lighthouse by Kirk Kelly was chosen as the best amateur photograph while a picture of horse racing on Ballyheigue Beach by Domnick Walsh was regarded as the best professional shot.
The best photos will feature in the Wild Atlantic Way Exhibition at 13 & 14 Denny Street, Tralee (the former AIB Bank premises) from 6pm on Culture Night, Friday 20th September when the public may come in and see the stunning images.
The CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge, said: “This photo competition during the first week in August, truly caught the imagination of the general public. Hundreds of people made the effort to go out and capture some breath-taking images of the various locations in Tralee Bay from Ballyheighue to the Maharees. All the images portray the heritage, culture and beauty of the region and we are looking forward to showcasing the cream of the crop to a local audience at our Exhibition in Tralee. Ultimately, the photos will feature in leaflet aimed at promoting Tralee Bay as a destination for tourists travelling along the Wild Atlantic Way.”
The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first long-distance driving route stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale, Co Cork, offering future visitors an opportunity to truly discover the west coast.
“Tralee is one of the few Kerry towns that has been selected by Fáilte Ireland as a destination along the Wild Atlantic Way providing us with a wonderful opportunity to reach new customers. Tralee Bay is a jewel on the longest defined coastal touring route in the world, and Tralee Chamber Alliance is proud to promote such a gem,” said Kieran Ruttledge.
CH The Mall Tralee supported the competition through the provision of a digital camera as one of Kirk Kelly’s prizes. CH also sponsored the reproduction of all the photographs featured in the exhibition while Manor West Hotel also contributed a prize consisting of a weekend break and dinner for two for the winning professional photographer, Domnick Walsh.
Each of the shortlisted photographs will feature daily on the Tralee Chamber Alliance Facebook Page and on www.Tralee.ie from Friday 20th September.
The Wild Atlantic Way Exhibition will run between from 12pm to 4.30pm between Friday 20th and Tuesday 30th September (excluding weekends) at 13 &14 Denny Street, Tralee. Admission is free.
For more details of all activities and attractions in Tralee and the surrounding areas, visit www.tralee.ie.
