From Binevenagh to the world stage: Our Rachel’s photograph reaches global final

A passion for photography has earned a Causeway Coast and Glens Council employee a place among the finalists of a prestigious international competition.

Rachel Cassidy, a Visitor Services Advisor at Limavady Visitor Information Centre, is the only photographer from Northern Ireland to make the final shortlist of this year’s Royal Meteorological Society’s Weather Photographer of the Year competition.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, meets Rachel Cassidy, whose photograph of Binevenagh and Lough Foyle has earned her a place on the shortlist for the Royal Meteorological Society’s Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition.placeholder image
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, meets Rachel Cassidy, whose photograph of Binevenagh and Lough Foyle has earned her a place on the shortlist for the Royal Meteorological Society’s Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition.

Selected from thousands of entries submitted from around the world, her photograph, titled A Midsummer Night’s Dream, captures the atmospheric phenomenon of noctilucent clouds (NLCs), also known as summer night-shining clouds, above Binevenagh and Lough Foyle.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins said: “We are all thrilled for Rachel. She has a real talent and it is wonderful for her to be recognised at this level. I wish her the best of luck in the competition.”

Speaking about her success, Rachel said: “I entered the competition because of my passion for weather, landscape and our local area, so to make the final shortlist is an incredible honour.

“To be selected from thousands of entries around the world and have the opportunity to share a little piece of our part of the world with an international audience is really special.”

The competition is judged by a panel of leading photographers and well-known UK weather presenters, recognising outstanding images that capture the beauty, drama and science of weather.

The public vote is now open, with the official winners and runners-up due to be announced on November 17. Vote HERE for Rachel’s photograph.

Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice