The judges

BRENDA FITZSIMONS

Brenda Fitzsimons is one of Ireland’s leading photographers working today, and the first woman staff photographer with The Irish Times.  Brenda was also the first woman ever to win Photographer of the Year in Ireland.  She has recently returned from Afghanistan where she has been documenting life there as part of an Irish Times project.

TOM LAWLOR

Tom Lawlor is an Irish photographer with an international reputation. He spent seventeen years with The Irish Times where he received many awards for his work.  His published works include Dublin, one in a thousand, Tom Lawlor at the Gate and Ways of Knowing.  He was recently made a Life Honorary Member of the Professional Photographers Association of Ireland for his services to Irish photography.  He is currently working on a book on women and runs his gallery and studio from Red Stables in Dublin's St Ann's Park.

MARY McEVOY

Best known as ‘Biddy’ from Glenroe, Mary has been working steadily in theatre since the end of the long-running TV series.  She is the joint artistic director of Esker Riada theatre company with Caroline Fitzgerald.  Mary’s recent work for various theatre companies include Dancing at the Ballroom of Romance; Mrs. Whippy; The Matchmaker; Shirley Valentine and Dancing at Lughnasa.  When Mary is not acting she is devoted to running her farm in County Westmeath.