Spring26 - Open Call Exhibition
Wed 04 Mar — Sat 02 May 2026
Ground & First Floor Galleries
The bi-annual exhibition, now in its 10th year, took the theme of ‘The Sporting Image’ particularly fitting given that 2004 was the European Year of Education Through Sport.
The exhibition showcased 76 photographs from overseas entries and a total of 30 from local Fingal groups. Participating countries in 2004 included Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, Russia, France, Scotland, Serbia + Montenegro, Denmark, Romania and Germany.
Image: Gábor Takács (Hungary), Archery on Horseback’, First Prize in Fingal Foto Festival, 2004
Overall winner Gabor Takacs from Hungary was delighted with the news that he had been given first place.
"I’m really pleased to have come first in this important exhibition and I’m looking forward to visiting Fingal as a guest of Fingal County Council. I’ve always loved nature photography and I’ve been taking photographs since I was about 13. Although I’m not a sports photographer, horseback archery is really part of nature photography for me. This sport recalls the ancient Hungarian rituals, customs and magical symbols that are used for decorating the horse." - Gábor Takács, Hungary
Since a number of accession countries are represented in the festival, it will certainly fit perfectly into the European Year of Education Through Sport. This initiative to coincide with Irelands Presidency is an opportunity to look at sport as a means of promoting EU social cohesion. According to Rory O’Byrne it’s a perfect way of marrying sport and culture to communicate the message.
"Our offices have been instrumental in establishing and supporting nine photographic groups in County Fingal. We’re very keen to ensure that the festival provides opportunities to create cultural links between our local photography groups and similar groups around Europe. Both sport and cultural activities like photography cross international barriers. These things can unite people in common cause. It’s clear that photographic standards are extremely high across the EU. I hope as many people as possible will visit Draiocht to view the exhibition when it opens in June." - Rory O’Byrne, Arts Officer Fingal
The opening night of the Fifth Fingal International Photo Fest was attended by the 1st Secretary of the Hungarian Embassy, Mr. Gyula Sumeghy, in honor of Gabor Takacs, winner of the photographic competition. The Cathairleach of Fingal County Council Mr. Sean Dolphin was also in attendance.
