The annual Press Photographers Association Of Ireland Awards took place at the Ballsbridge Hotel last night, honouring some of the best photos featured in the media over the course of the last year. Alan Betson of The Irish Times was announced as Photographer Of The Year on the night, with category winners including Eric Luke of The Irish Times, Domnick Walsh of Eye Focus, John Kelly of The Clare Champion and Brenda Fitzsimons of The Irish Times. Here are a few of the photos celebrated on the night...

3rd Prize Reportage - A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP - Paul Nicholls, Freelance #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/PxuyygavPu

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Prize Reportage - BRIAN O'DRISCOLL'S FINAL YEAR - Stephen McCarthy, @sportsfile @sportsfilesteve #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/DLO20tLKND

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Reportage - LIFFEY SWIM 2014 - Alan Betson, @IrishTimes @alanbetson #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/xsYYTQyFVA

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Prize - Daily Life & People - TAKING THE SUN, Bryan O'Brien, @IrishTimes @BryanJOBrien #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/FuqUg79jzY

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Prize Daily Life & People - THE HOLY GUST - Margaret McLaughlin, Freelance @mclaughlinpress #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/fvIEsBadwW

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Daily Life & People - NOTHING CAN GO WRONG? Eric Luke, @IrishTimes @EricLuke2 #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/c4YI7OevI6

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Prize Nature & the Environment - FRESH FISH - Margaret McLaughlin, Freelance @mclaughlinpress #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/7IQ523yoaH

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Nature & Env- WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE OUTSIDE, MUM? Domnick Walsh, Eye Focus @DomnickEyeFocus #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/jKLL8FgBKC

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Prize Portrait- THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA - John Kelly, The Clare Champion @ClareChampion @jkphoto68 #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/QUTYpZQjmP

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Prize Portrait - THE STARE..." - Donall Farmer, @Inphosports #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/vvaqwAmexK

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Portrait - BODY BUILDER - John Kelly, @clarechampion @jkphoto68 #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/AaFvH0kj0c

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Prize Politics - POLITICAL WHIRLWIND - Tom Honan, Irish Mail on Sunday #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/Ph5M8i6I4w

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Prize Politics - PUT THE WHOLE TROIKA ON IT - Niall Carson, Press Association of Ireland #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/oi9KisogGM

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Politics - UNITED WE STAND, TOGETHER WE FALL - Brenda Fitzsimons, @IrishTimes @b_fitzsimons #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/FhFaPhDsCi

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Sports Feature - HELL ON EARTH - John Kelly, @clarechampion @jkphoto68 #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/YB6AaqcLjs

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Sports Feature - READY FOR BATTLE - Ramsey Cardy, @sportsfile @ramseycardy #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/d5xx0JXKpo

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Sports Feature - LIGHTING UP THE FAIRWAY - Matt Browne, @Sportsfile #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/v2xr0TtFDI

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Sports Action - SAND STORM - Donall Farmer, @Inphosports #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/dg96bHoaiH

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Sports Action - BIG CLEARANCE - Ray McManus, @sportsfile @Sportsfileray #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/Fhpv8n449V

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Sports Action - DISTORTED VISION - Ramsey Cardy, @Sportsfile @ramseycardy #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/yjePKjegeH

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Prize News - GOODBYE DEAR NEIGHBOUR - Julien Behal, @maxwellpix @Julienbehal #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/yAGH2CIEBC

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize News - UNDER FIRE DEPUTY - Crispin Rodwell, Freelance, @CrispinRodwell #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/EVy2HU2jXE

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

3rd Arts & Entertainment - FANCY A CUP..? - Julien Behal, @maxwellpix @Julienbehal #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/k8QxZwACLz

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

2nd Prize Arts & Entertainment - PORKY & BESS - Brenda Fitzsimons, @IrishTimes @b_fitzsimons #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/rraSpcBwxC

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015

1st Prize Arts & Entertainment - MILEY IN THE MONEY - Dara MacDonaill, @IrishTimes #PPAIAWARDS pic.twitter.com/fpsY8fVkcK

— PPAI (@PPAI_IRL) January 23, 2015