Wikimedia Community Ireland is delighted to be participating in Wiki Loves Folklore 2025 once again! Whether you’re a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or someone with a passion for storytelling, this is your chance to showcase Irish folklore, culture, and traditions. Dive into your archives or head out to capture the magic of Ireland’s unique heritage and you could win exciting prizes!
The International Photographic Contest invites you to help us showcase the rich tapestry of global folklore. Embracing the diversity of traditional culture, stories, rituals, and customs, this contest invites you to capture the essence of folklore through the lens of your camera. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just passionate about enhancing open knowledge this is your chance to contribute to a vibrant repository of cultural heritage. To embark on this exciting journey, upload and upload your photos to Wikimedia Commons and join hands with like-minded enthusiasts to weave a visual tapestry that transcends borders.
Read on to find out how to enter and how to win prizes!
What is Wiki Loves Folklore 2025?
Running from February 1st to March 31st, Wiki Loves Folklore Ireland 2025 is a global photo contest aimed at documenting and preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. This year’s theme focuses on folklore heritage, encouraging participants to visually celebrate the essence of Irish myths, traditions, and community practices.
What should you photograph for Wiki Loves Folkore?
Wiki Loves Folklore places special emphasis on intangible cultural heritage—those traditions, skills, and practices passed down through generations. This includes:
- Oral traditions and storytelling.
- Performing arts and festivals.
- Community rituals and social customs.
- Knowledge about nature and the universe.
- Traditional craftsmanship.
- By contributing your images, videos, or sound files, you help preserve and share these vital aspects of Irish culture for future generations.
How to Get Involved
Step 1: Capture Culture
- Use your camera or phone to photograph, film, or record elements of Irish folklore.
- Explore festivals, community events, or everyday practices steeped in tradition. Or, revisit your archives—do you have images from a céilí, storytelling session, or traditional craft workshop? They’re perfect!
Step 2: Upload to Wikimedia Commons
- Create a free account on Wikimedia Commons.
- Visit the Contest Upload page here.
- Follow the step-by-step guide to upload your contributions. See instructions here.
- Posting your entries on social media? Tag your entries with #WikiLovesFolklore2025 and invite your friends to take part!
Joining Wiki Loves Folklore means:
- Becoming part of a global celebration of cultural diversity, involving contributors from over 150 countries.
- Highlighting the beauty and significance of Irish folklore on an international stage.
- Supporting open knowledge: all contributions are added to Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free-to-use multimedia content accessible worldwide.
- Playing a role in preserving Irish heritage for future generations.
- Win prizes and be in with a chance of representing Ireland in the International contest!
Prizes
- 1st Prize: €200
- 2nd Prize: €100
- 3rd Prize: €50
*Prizes are presented in One4All voucher or Amazon voucher
Judges
Fáin – @HogandDice
Once described as being like “a lovely loaf of fresh baked bread served at a satanic orgy” Fáin is an oral storyteller with a multidisciplinary background who loves to discuss the bizarre, the subversive and the deviant while creating an atmosphere of comfort, safety and comradery. Fáin studied Irish Folklore at UCD, laboured in the story mines of The National Leprechaun Museum, and has produced various multi-media projects including podcasts, audio-dramas, Alternative Reality Games and video essays. Often involving weird little puppets.
Rita O’Loughlin – @MyBratBhride
Rita O’Loughlin is the founder of My Brat Bhríde, a community initiative reviving the ancient tradition of the Brat Bhríde through upcycled, embroidered healing shawls. Inspired by her late mother, she began crafting and gifting these scarves, promoting creativity, sustainability, and connection. Since 2021, she has led workshops across Ireland, teaching people of all ages to make their own Brat Bhríde, with an emphasis on community, heritage, and the power of giving. Her work has been recognized by Sustainability Ireland and has touched the lives of many.
Tura Artura – @turaartura (IG) @aruturatura / @damshaseannos (TT)
Tura Arutura is a well established Irish Cultural activist and performer who moved to Ireland 31 years ago from Southern Africa. His dance practice combines urban, traditional African, Irish music and dance. With dedicated study over the past 10 years, Tura has become one of Ireland’s Master Sean Nós (traditional Irish) dancers an aficionado of the Irish language and Culture. The combination of African, American influence urban street, and Irish traditional dance to create a powerful and empowering reflection and celebration on diversity.
Celebrate Ireland’s Unique Heritage
Wiki Loves Folklore Ireland 2025 invites you to share your perspective on Ireland’s vibrant traditions, whether through a single photograph or a collection of cultural moments. Every entry contributes to a global tapestry of shared knowledge and creativity.
Let’s preserve Ireland’s stories for the world to experience. Join today and be part of this meaningful cultural celebration!
Previous Winners and Inspiration
2024 First Place Winner: Ag Déanamh Aráin (Making Bread) by Seán Ó Domhnaill, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Jonjobaker, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
2023 Second Place: A stunning snapshot of traditional dance, Oncewerecolours, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A winning Image from Wiki Loves Folkore by Dieglop, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2022 Second Place: St Fiachra’s sculpture in Saint Fiachra‘s Garden, Kildare captured by Dieglop, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ready to contribute your visual storytelling to this global celebration? Participate in Wiki Loves Folklore 2025 and let Ireland shine!
