CROMBIE WINS AIB PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THIRD TIME
47th Annual awards of Press Photographers Ireland takes place at gala awards ceremony in Dublin
World renowned sports photographer James Crombie (Inpho Photography) has won the coveted AIB Press Photographer of the Year trophy for the third time at a ceremony in Dublin last Friday 28th February 2025.
Best known for his global sensation featuring a murmuration of starlings in 2022, the Westmeath photographer’s entry again featured wildlife leading to an action-packed winning portfolio. However, it was his sensitively planned image for Pieta’s Darkness Into Light campaign that features on the award catalogue cover that confirms Crombie’s skill and adaptability.
Bob Hughes of Local Ireland was delighted to present the winners of the Reportage category at the awards ceremony. Chani Anderson picked up 3rd prize, Justin Kernoghan was awarded 2nd prize and Liam McBurney won 1st prize in the category with his image ‘Belfast Race Violence’.
The annual awards, now in their 47th year, recognise press photographers from around Ireland with a collection of 110 images that tell the story of 2024 in pictures. Hosted by broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan and organised by Press Photographers Ireland CLG, the glittering ceremony was held at the UCD O’Reilly Hall where Minister Jack Chambers was on hand to present the overall winning trophy to Crombie.
Rahugh native James Crombie won praise for both his artistic and technical skills, with the judges commenting: “We judges had a difficult task comparing a shortlist of three fine portfolios of work which were very different in their scope. We ultimately decided on this superb set of images by a photographer who clearly mainly covers sport but does so with great technical and artistic skill. We were all extremely impressed with the way the photographer nailed the best possible image from so many different situations inside and outside the field of play. This photographer is our unanimous choice as photographer of the year”.
The judging panel was again led by former picture editor of The Irish Times, Frank Miller alongside this year’s two judges Kate Horgan, photographer & one of the curators of the PPI Life Under Covid Collection and Shaun Botterill of Getty Images. Journalist Philip Bromwell and former RTÉ cameraman Michael Lee led the judging of the Multimedia category.
Speaking at the awards, David Branigan, President, Press Photographers Ireland CLG, said: “Once again, James Crombie has demonstrated outstanding creative and technical skills that makes him a worthy winner of the AIB Press Photographer of the Year Award,” commented David Branigan, President of Press Photographers Ireland. “As the age of Gen AI and online fakery gathers pace, the images by our members that will now tour Ireland are a tonic for truth in our time – well worth viewing”.
Colin Hunt, CEO, AIB, said: “AIB is proud to once again support the Press Photographers Ireland Awards, and especially to recognise the AIB Sustainability Award for the image that best reflects the impact of climate change. Press photographers are at the frontline in documenting our times; their work instils trust and ensures that people can believe what they see, reminding us of the enduring power of visual story telling”.
Speaking on the awards, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said: “I extend my sincere congratulations to James and to all those honoured on the night. These extraordinary images captured moments in times that tell a story about life in Ireland, about our society, our people, our culture, our traditions and our values. I thank all the entrants for their immense contribution to public life and to the PPI’s role in supporting and ensuring a free and high performing press that benefits and serves Ireland so well”.
Awards were presented across 11 distinct categories – News, Daily Life & People, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Portrait, Nature & the Environment, Politics, Arts & Entertainment, Reportage, Multimedia and the newly launched Public Relations category in addition to the AIB Sustainability Award and two new stand-alone special awards, Irish Country Life and Best Use of Technology.
The AIB Sustainability Award was presented to Mark Condren of Mediahuis Ireland for his image, ‘Wading High’ which captures Irish National Stud gardeners removing pondweed from one of their park lakes highlighting the stud’s non-use of pesticides policy as part of the Irish National Stud & Gardens sustainability and biodiversity plan. The striking AIB Sustainability award, “True Inspiration”, carved by the artist Éibhlin Ní Chonaile of Celtic Roots Studio, was created from ancient bogwood over 5,000 years old.
The newly introduced Best Use of Technology Award was presented to Niall Carson, PA Images, for his drone image, ‘Holy Island’ from the funeral of the late Irish writer Edna O’Brien, captured over Holy Island, Co. Clare. The judges commented that the image captures the funeral and burial ‘…in a single excellent shot – something which would otherwise only be possible through multiple images’. For the first year of the Irish Country Life Award, Dan Linehan of Irish Examiner was recognised for his image ‘Authority triumphs at Watergrasshill’. This picture story illustrates owners and participants of the international draghunt in Watergrasshill, Co. Cork, with the judges commenting that it encapsulates ‘an aspect of country life not often seen’.
The first place winner of the Multimedia Award was The Irish Times photographer and video maker Bryan O’Brien for his short film ‘A Good Dog is Everything’, based on Paul Walker, a sheepdog trainer and shepherd based in Newport, Co. Mayo. Walker grew up in Chile where he herded goats as a young man and he believes that no technology or machinery can ever defeat a good sheepdog. In second place, Chani Anderson of The Irish Examiner was recognised for her short film ‘The Toy Collectors’ – a short documentary exploring three of Cork’s largest private toy collections. While in third place, David Branigan of Oceansport was awarded for his short film, ‘Tommy’. This poignant short film highlights and captures the story of Tommy, a severely autistic teenager who finds a remarkable and special connection through his interaction with the sea.
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