Wiki Loves Monuments is the world’s largest cultural heritage photography competition that aims to celebrate and document built heritage from all over the world.
Thousands of photographers, heritage enthusiasts, and Wikimedia contributors unite to document and celebrate worldwide monuments, making the knowledge on our cultural heritage available for free on Wikimedia Commons.This year, Ireland was one of 57 countries participating. You can check out all the participating countries and images here. This year, we had almost 1,000 entries, so the judges really had their work cut out for them!
The competition brings together people who value their local historic environment, calling on amateur and professional photographers alike to capture images of the world’s historic monuments. The photos are then shared under a free licence via Wikimedia Commons, a free media repository which provides most of the images for Wikipedia.
The competition at the national level awards the top entries as selected by our esteemed panel of judges, and the best photos move on to the international contest, where winners will be awarded for their creativity and contribution to open knowledge.
Thank you very much to our judges, John Beattie from the National Built Heritage Service, Mary Dillon from Heritage Keepers and Thomas Emmet from Historic Houses of Ireland for offering their expertise and time to the contest. A huge thank you to Heritage Keepers and Heritage Week for partnering with us and helping to promote the contest.
Now, without further ado, here are the Winners of Wiki Loves Monuments Ireland 2025…
Missed WLM? Don’t worry, you can enter the Wiki Science photo contest during the month of November 2025. Find more details here.
1st Place
Cavan-Belturbet – Cloughoughter Castle by Paulzygmunt
Paulzygmunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“Cloughoughter Castle looks incredibly peaceful in this shot. The tower sits on its own little island, wrapped in trees and completely surrounded by still, dark water. The light from the sunrise breaks through the clouds just enough to warm the horizon, and the contrast with the calm lake makes the castle feel even more remote. It’s one of those places that looks untouched, like time just forgets to move there.” – Paulzygmunt
2nd Place
Ennis – Killone Abbey by Myrna O’Loughlin
Molannaol, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3rd Place
Menlo Castle in County Galway by Michael Deligan
Michael Deligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“In the late 18th century, a portion of the original tower house was utilised as the county gaol (jail); near the end of the 19th century, it was converted into a corn store.” – Michael Deligan
Honourable Mentions
Fingal – Baily Lighthouse by Ryan L123
Ryan L123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Poulnabrone Dolmen in Co. Clare by Michael Deligan
Michael Deligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“The dolmen is older than Stonehenge and Egypt’s pyramids, having been constructed and utilised between 4200 and 2900 BC during the Neolithic era.”- Michael Deligan
Killarney – Ross Castle (002) By Nik_Hall
Nik_Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Killarney – Ross Castle (004) By Nik_Hall
Nik_Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Navan – Bective Abbey by Paulzygmunt
Paulzygmunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“This photo of Bective Abbey has that crisp, freezing winter morning feel. The grass and trees are covered in frost, and the low sunlight gives everything a soft golden edge. The wooden fence in the foreground leads your eye straight toward the ruins, which look even more dramatic against the clear blue sky. It’s quiet, cold, and beautiful — the kind of morning where you can almost hear the crunch of the frost just by looking at it.” -Paulzygmunt
Fore Abbey in Co. Westmeath by Michael Deligan
Michael Deligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“The monastery, which houses up to 2,000 students and about 300 monks when it was founded in 630 AD, was once a major centre of study.”-Michael Deligan
Howth Harbour Lighthouse byՄարի Ավետիսյան
Մարի Ավետիսյան, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“During my research project in Ireland, my Armenian friends and I decided to visit Howth and enjoy a cliff walk for a bit of adventure. Coming from a landlocked country with no sea or ports, I’m always fascinated by everything connected to the ocean and sea – especially this lighthouse. Against the deep blue of the sea, it looked truly exceptional. My inner Wikimedian immediately woke up, inspiring me to capture and share this beauty of Ireland so that everyone can freely enjoy it through Wikimedia projects.”– Mari Avetisyan
Best Newcomers
Castles of Leinster – Gortnaclea Laois by Cristina Morettini 95
Cristina Morettini 95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“Last April, I had the trip I dreamed of for a lifetime, and I gifted it to myself to celebrate my graduation in Architecture.
To travel across Ireland was an experience that involved all my senses. The air smelled of grass and sea salt; the landscapes unfolded like living painting with their green hills, majestic cliffs, and winding country roads that made me feel suspended in time. There was a sense of freedom, a gentle melancholy, and a deep connection with nature and those ancient stories I’ve always loved reading about. The Castles of Leinster was a place I discovered while wandering through the countryside — a ruined castle standing alone in the vast green fields, like a sacred sentinel guarding centuries of silence. It reminded me how beauty can endure even in decay, and how every ruin still tells a story to those who stop to listen. I feel very lucky and privileged, since I was able to witness it all.” – Cristina Morettini 95
Killarney Municipal District – Ross Castle by Nik_Hall
Nik_Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Municipal District of Laytown — Bettystown – Drogheda West Lighthouse by Paulzygmunt
Paulzygmunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“The lighthouse sits tucked into the dunes here, with a winding sandy path leading toward it. The colors from the sunset spread across the sky in warm shades of orange and pink, giving the whole landscape a calm, end-of-the-day feeling. The tall grasses, the gentle curves of the dunes, and the soft light all come together to make the scene feel peaceful and lived-in — like a place you’d go for a quiet morning walk.” – Paulzygmunt
Killarney Municipal District – Muckross Abbey by Marta_Trullu
Marta_Trullu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
