Tullamore man is runner up in astrophotography competition

A Tullamore man has been named as runner up in the ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition.

Tom O’Hanlon has been announced as one of two runners-up in the inaugural ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

His winning image, ‘North Star Jesuit House’, is a series of tacked images, taking in The North Star, which demonstrates the Earth’s rotation, captured at Tullybeg House – the former Jesuit boarding school – in Rahan, close to Tullamore. The image was selected as a runner-up by an expert judging panel following a rigorous judging process of over 180 entries.

In addition to Mr. O’Hanlon’s success with his image ‘North Star Jesuit House’, one of his other entries ‘Skytrain Lough Boora’ was also selected to feature in an exhibition of the judges’ 20 top-rated images.

Mr O’Hanlon’s two images will feature as part of the exhibition, which will run online initially, launching on the DIAS website, www.dias.ie this week. An outdoor exhibition at DIAS's premises on Burlington Road is planned for the coming weeks, followed - later in the summer - by an exhibition at DIAS Dunsink Observatory.

Josh Mathews from Moyard, Co. Galway was selected as the overall winner of the competition, for his image, ‘To the Waters and the Wild’, while Ciaran P. O’Donnell from Newtownabbey, Belfast, Co. Antrim was also announced as a runner-up for his submission, ‘Cygnus Mosaic in Hubble Palette’.

Commenting on the top three images, Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astrophysics at DIAS and a member of the judging panel for ‘Reach for the Stars’, said: “The standard of entries to the competition was excellent, and the judging panel had a very difficult job making our final selection. The chosen images showcase a variety of striking and impressive astronomy scenes, and capture the talent of astrophotographers in Ireland”.

Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor of The Irish Times and a member of the judging panel, said: “I’m simply in awe of the talent, perseverance and technical ability applied to accomplish these wonderful images. The winning photographs are not only astonishingly beautiful and a well-balanced images, but are perfectly executed. It is evident that the photographers have immense technical knowledge and patience”.

Fellow judge Martina Quinn, Managing Director of competition sponsors Alice PR & Events, remarked on how the Irish landscape provided a striking backdrop for the astro-photographs.

Speaking about the entries overall, John Flannery, Vice-President of the Irish Astronomical Society and member of the judging panel, added: “I was blown away by the entries to the competition – the level of skill, imagination and creativity shown. Many of the images captured very complex astronomical features that are extremely difficult to photograph, and require great skill and patience. It is great to see such interest in astronomy from both amateur and experienced photographers and astronomers across the country”.

Commenting on the success of the competition, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS said: “I would like to congratulate the winners of the competition on their achievements, and thank them and indeed all entrants for sharing their creativity with us.

“This competition builds on DIAS’s – and Ireland’s – proud astronomical heritage. DIAS Dunsink Observatory is one of Ireland’s most important scientific sites and has been recognised by the European Physical Society as a ‘site of historical significance’. We hope that the competition has inspired people to explore astronomy and astrophotography, and encouraged them to look up into the night sky and appreciate its beauty,” she ended.