Aberglasney’s photographer wins third prize in International Garden Photographer of the year Competition

GPOTY brings together the best garden, plant, flower and botanical photography from across the world with over 20,000 entries from over 50 countries. The competition started in 2008 and continues to be one of the world’s most respected photography competitions and exhibitions.

Nigel McCall’s breath-taking images have won a staggering 17 awards from IGPOTY over the last seven years. Awards include three first places, one third place, six finalist, four highly commended and three commended places.

This year’s winning image entitled ‘Cashel Palace Gardens at Dawn’ has been awarded third place in the Beautiful Gardens Category. It was taken while Nigel was on holiday at the Cashel Palace Hotel last September. The shot was taken at the crack of dawn of the gardens in the hotel and has the Rock of Cashel in the background – a famous visitor attraction in Ireland.

Nigel McCall said, “I am pleased to have been recognised once again in this year’s International Garden Photographer of the Year awards. I take photos at Aberglasney and when I’m on holidays for pleasure rather than reward but it is always heart-warming when given accolades for the hobby I enjoy doing so much.”     

A collection of Nigel’s award-winning photographs of Aberglasney Gardens through the seasons and over the past few years, are currently on display in an exhibition in Aberglasney’s Mansion House. A book of Nigel’s images was also launched last year entitled ‘Aberglasney Gardens – a calendar year’ and is available to purchase in the giftshop alongside jigsaws and postcards using some of his award winning images.

Jim Stribling, Director of Operations at Aberglasney said, “Congratulations to Nigel on this latest recognition of all your work. We are very grateful to him for all the time he puts in to visiting the Gardens and producing amazing photographs. It’s thanks to Nigel that we’re blessed with a wealth of beautiful images of the Gardens throughout the seasons.”

Nigel McCall has been a volunteer and member of Aberglasney since 2014. He was the managing director of Towy Works Ltd in Carmarthen before he retired in 2020. Nigel has a great interest in photography and has spent many years documenting Aberglasney’s changing seasons with over 2,000 images of the Gardens.

(Lead image: Aberglasney Gardens)