Best of friends: Stunning photo of Kilkenny grandfather and grandson captures judges’ hearts

This is the touching moment that captured the unique bond between a county Kilkenny grandfather and his grandson that captured the hearts of judges in a nationwide search for Ireland’s Greatest Friendship.

The stunning photograph, taken by Tanya Gaine from Thomastown, captured a tender moment between her son, Michael (3) and his granddad, also Michael Gaine (78). The beautiful image was named as a runner-up in the Fisherman’s Friend Search for Ireland’s Greatest Friendship competition.

Following a nationwide search by Fisherman’s Friend for Ireland’s Greatest Friendship, people from across Ireland were encouraged to celebrate their friendships ‘through the lens’ and share photos that captured their friendships and what that bond means to them.

Out of hundreds of entries, Tanya’s friendship photograph captured the hearts of the judges, which included Editor of Irish Country Living, Amii McKeever; Photographer and Managing Director of Fennell Photography, Chris Bellew and Jon White, Regional Business Manager, Fisherman’s Friend.

Fisherman’s Friend Regional Business Manager Jon White said: “We are thrilled to be running this competition for the third year, celebrating friendship through the art of photography – that moment caught in time that makes you smile. This past year has been particularly challenging for everyone; however, it has also demonstrated the immense community spirit that exists within Irish communities and we know that friendships have played a key role in this.”

The winner of Ireland’s Greatest Friendship photography competition was Anna Cronin and her son Bill Harrington, from county Cork.