Gulliver Ireland, the cost effective provider of reservations and tourism information, announced today (Monday, 28th July 2008) the launch of a photographic search for the definitive 'Wonders of Ireland' that particularly fascinate people and will stand the test of time.

Launched by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen, T.D., the GoIreland.com Photography Awards 2008 is designed to catalogue the remarkable and beautiful aspects of Ireland that evoke surprise and admiration among Irish people and visitors alike.

Held in association with John Hinde Ireland, the annual GoIreland.com Photography Awards is an international amateur tourist photography competition that showcases Ireland and its tourism qualities. Entrants are encouraged to use John Hinde's series of famous postcards and iconic images of Ireland years ago as inspiration.

Now in its fourth year, the Awards' Judging Panel invites Irish holidaymakers and visiting tourists to use their imagination and skill to capture a photograph of a remarkable 'Wonder of the island of Ireland'. The Panel's focus will be identifying the most impressive photographic examples of both natural and man-made 'Wonders of Ireland'.

The overall winning photograph together with a selection of runner-up images will become part of history by being reproduced as a special John Hinde calendar that will be distributed throughout the country.

The winning amateur photographer will earn a luxury Ireland holiday including flights, Carlton hotel accommodation and car rental

Further details are available at http://www.goireland.com/photos.htm. The closing date for entries is Friday, 10th October 2008.

Commenting on the GoIreland.com Photography Awards 2008, Minister Martin Cullen, T.D., said, "Tourism is a vital contributor to our economic and social well-being and plays a key role in projecting a positive image of Ireland world-wide. Last year a record number of 8 million overseas tourists visited our country. We are fortunate in Ireland to have a landscape of infinite variety and spectacle, a moderate climate and a clean and largely unspoiled environment.

"The GoIreland.com Photography Awards are a wonderful opportunity for both Irish people and visiting holidaymakers to communicate what they love about Ireland and what makes it such an attractive and appealing destination. The competition in itself will also provide valuable feedback to the Irish tourism sector as to how we are perceived at home and abroad," added Minister Cullen.

Speaking at the launch, the Chairman of the Awards Judging Panel and Gulliver Ireland, Dick Spring, said, "The GoIreland.com Photography Awards is fast establishing itself as a fixture in the minds of Irish and visiting tourists as well as amateur photographic enthusiasts. The Judging Panel has raised the bar this year by challenging entrants to decide what symbolises Ireland's beauty or is truly remarkable and capture that image on camera. We look forward to seeing Irish and visitor perceptions of what deserves the 'Wonder of Ireland' accolade."

John Hinde Ltd's Sales Director, John McCreery, said, "John Hinde Ireland is delighted to be associated with the GoIreland.com Photography Awards 2008. While it will be difficult to surpass last year's standard, no doubt Ireland still provides wonders to challenge all budding photographers. We look forward to seeing the results."

The recently relaunched GoIreland.com, Gulliver Ireland's flagship website, is the largest tourist accommodation website on the island of Ireland. The website features more travel information on 'things to see and do' and offers the widest spread of tourist accommodation, approximately 8,000 properties. GoIreland.com has up to 120,000 visitors every week at the height of the tourist season and was ranked in the Top 15 Travel and Airlines websites in 'The Net Behaviour Report' on Irish Internet usage earlier this year.

Gulliver Ireland, which is part of FEXCO, has handled more than 1.4 million bookings, worth over €260 million, since 1997. The Gulliver database contains all approved accommodation providers on the island of Ireland, irrespective of their size and location. The Gulliver system handles bookings for its 8,000 member properties over the Internet and through Tourist Offices and its international Contact Centre.