We’re thrilled to bring you the national winners of Wiki Loves Folklore Ireland 2025! This year, we had 254 entries overall, which meant our wonderful judges had their work cut out for them.
You can take a look at all the entries here.
You can see that we had a diverse range of subject matter and themes across all entries from professional and amateur photographers alike. When judging the contest, our esteemed panel of judges took into consideration the quality of the images, what aspect of folklore and intangible heritage was being showcased, how connected they were to the contest themes, what information they were adding to Wikimedia and of course, artistic flair and uniqueness.
These images not only showcase the beauty of Irish culture past and present but also ensure its preservation for generations to come.
The judges were thoroughly impressed by the creativity and vibrance displayed in each photograph, and every entry is a step closer toward the preservation of Irish intangible heritage, past and present, for generations to come. Thank you very much to everyone who entered! And without further ado let’s get to the winners…
First Place Winner
In first place is this stunning image showcases Clifden Castle, a ruined manor house west of the town of Clifden in the Connemara region of County Galway.
Michael Deligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The castle was built c. 1818 for John D’Arcy, the local landowner, in the Gothic Revival style.A great famine struck Ireland in 1845, by which time D’Arcy’s son had inherited the estate. People emigrated in their droves to avoid disease and starvation, while many of those who remained were forced to beg for food and shelter in the castle grounds. Some believe that these poor souls still haunt the castle to this day, with shadowy figures seen moving around the ruins.
Second Place Winner
In second place we have ‘Loaves in a willow basket’ by MollyMaps.
Mollymaps CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This image show a fine example of the ancient craft of traditional Irish basket weaving. The techniques and traditions have been passed down for thousands of years, for generations.
Basket making is the oldest craft in the world, and the most widespread of any craft. In Ireland, we have a tradition going back many centuries, with baskets being made for carrying fuel, gathering food or catching eels or seafood, and many other things.
Baskets are made from whatever pliable material grows locally, for example willow, or ‘sailleach’, which are woven together. People have also used hazel, heather or whips of other trees.
Some designs for baskets are ancient, unchanged for centuries, like a Creel, or a Potato Skib, and other baskets have more modern origins. But whatever its origin, no basket has yet been made by a machine. In fact it is the complete sustainable craft.
Third Place Winner
In third place we have this majestic photo of called ‘Giant Alien Greets Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day’ by Thoslee.
Thoslee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Initially a religious feast day in Ireland, early St Patrick’s Day celebrations involved dances, dinners, and concerts. The tradition of holding parades is believed to have started in the United States by Irish emigrants celebrating their heritage. New York City hosted one of the earliest recorded parades in 1762, while Waterford held the first parade in Ireland itself in 1903.
St Patrick’s Day in Ireland is a vibrant celebration, with Dublin hosting the largest event: a three-day festival featuring the renowned St Patrick’s Day Parade. This annual parade attracts over 500,000 people and showcases marching bands, charities, cultural groups, and youth organizations.
Special Mentions
The Smithfield Horse Fair by Oncewerecolours
Oncewerecolours, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The horse fair depicted in this photo is held on the first Sunday of March and September every year in Smithfield Square in the heart of Dublin City.
The horse fair is the practice of horse dealing whereby vendors come to show their horses/ponies/donkeys to prospective buyers from all over Ireland. Old style rituals remain popular, including the traditional way of animal dealing such as slapping of hands, exchange of cash, luck penny and including a third party in the bargain making and sale.
This fair holds significant importance for the Traveller Community, who attend in large numbers and greatly influence both the trading activities and the overall atmosphere.
Fairy Tree in County Clare Ireland by Luaslou
Luaslou, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Ireland, its believed fairy trees are the sacred grounds for the sídhe, the people of the mounds. The sídhe are known as the little people or the wee folk in Ireland and most often portrayed as fairies.
A fairy tree is usually a Hawthorn tree or an Ash tree. They stand alone in fields and are commonly found with large stones circling their base, most likely to protect it. What’s mysterious about these large stones is how they came to be at the tree, as some could be there for hundreds of years. Landowners wouldn’t dare cut down such a tree as it would bring years of bad luck and even death.
The children of Lir inspired meringues by Mollymaps
Mollymaps, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Children of Lir (Irish: Oidheadh chloinne Lir) is a legend from Irish mythology. The legend of the Children of Lir, recounts that in ancient Ireland, King Lir had four lovely children. Following their mother’s early death, King Lir remarried. However, his new wife was a cunning sorceress who desired the throne and viewed the children as obstacles.
One day, the Queen led the children to a lake under the pretense of swimming lessons. Once they entered the water, the malevolent Queen used her magic to transform them into swans.
For nine centuries, the Children of Lir were fated to exist as swans during the day, only regaining their human forms under the light of a full moon. They dwelled on Lake Davra, the Sea of Moyle, and Lake Isle of Glora in Mayo until the introduction of Christianity to Ireland broke their enchantment.
A traditional Irish wedding fire at the ceremony by Shirrela
In Irish folklore, wedding fire ceremonies, often linked to the festival of Beltane (Bealtaine), are associated with the return of the sun, fertility, and the union of the couple. Historically, these ceremonies involved bonfires, where the flames, smoke, and ashes were believed to have protective and purifying powers. Jumping over the fire was a tradition to strengthen the connection and passion between the couple.
Shirrela, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsDunguaire Castle Kinvara Galway
Michael Deligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This castle was built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan on the picturesque shores of Galway Bay. This restored 16th-century tower house sits on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway Bay. In 1924, Dunguaire was bought and repaired by Oliver St. John Gogarty, the famous surgeon and literary figure. This was the time of the great Celtic revival in Irish literature exemplified by the works of writers such as Synge, Yeat,s Shaw and O’Casey. It became the venue for meetings of the literary revivalists such as W.B. Yeats, his patron Lady Gregory, George Bernard Shaw, Edward Martin and J.M. Synge. Yeats in particular believed strongly in the Celtic Bardic Tradition and set about reviving the ancient oral customs, incorporating them into his plays and poetry.
Thank you Judges!
On behalf of the Wikimedia Community Ireland team, I would like to extend a huge thank you to our fabulous panel of judges: Fáin of Hog and Dice Productions, Rita O’Loughlin, founder of My Brat Bhríde, and last but certainly not least , Tura Artura. You can read more about our judging panel and find out about how they contribute to and protect Irish folklore here.
Feeling inspired to upload photos and contribute to Wikipedia? You can enter Wiki Loves Earth, which begins in May!
