DIAS names Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition winners
An aurora over golden fields, a comet trailing in the night sky, and a deep sky nebula are among the winning images in this years’ Reach for the Stars competition, Ireland’s biggest astrophotography competition, organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).
The 2025 competition saw more than 170 entries from photographers across Ireland with photos taken between 26 April 2024 and 2 June 2025.
The winners have been revealed and will receive their prizes at a private ceremony at DIAS on Wednesday 20 August. This will be followed by an exhibition of winning and shortlisted photographs that will be open to the public from Thursday 21 August.
Awards were presented in six categories:
The Night Sky in Your Hand award went to Anthony Lynch; Out of this World – Planetary went to Brian O’Halloran of Annestown, Co. Waterford; Out of this World – Deep Sky went to Martin McCormack, Dublin; Back on Earth – Landscape was picked up by Raluca Lica, Narraghmore, Co. Kildare; and Back on Earth – Landmark was won by Liam Reddall, Dublin.
The people’s choice award went to Anthony Lynch’s photograph Symmetry which captured a sweeping panorama of the milky way on top of train tracks in Lough Boora Park, Co. Offaly (shown here).
Dr Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “The Reach for the Stars competition continues to reveal the incredible talent and dedication of Ireland’s astrophotographers. These images don’t just showcase technical skill, they allow us to see the universe from new perspectives and inspire a deeper curiosity about our night sky.”
Head of Astrophysics at DIAS and Chair of the judging panel Prof Peter Gallagher said: “Now in its fifth year, the DIAS Reach for the Stars competition has reached new heights. It is exciting to see the competition grow. The rare appearances of the Aurora Borealis in Ireland’s skies have sparked fresh curiosity, encouraging more people to get involved in astrophotography. The talent and technical skill shown in each of the shortlisted entries is extraordinary, making the judges’ task of selecting winners more challenging than ever before.”
The judging panel included Prof Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS; Michael McCreary, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Dr Lisa McNamee co-founder Space Medicine Ireland; and Alan Betson, Irish Times photographer and multiple winner of the press photographer of the year award.
DIAS’ Reach for the Stars competition is run in partnership with The Irish Times and is sponsored by MKC Communications and the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.
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