Offaly Live nominated for Local Ireland Media Award for heartfelt article

The Offaly Express/Offaly Live has been nominated for a Local Ireland Media Award for an article written by former Offaly Express/Offaly Live editor and current Group Content Editor with Iconic Media, Justin Kelly.

Justin's article, Cherish The Moments, recounts his last ever trip to Croke Park with his father before his death the following year from a rare illness called sarcoidosis. 

The article is nominated in the Best Use of Digital category. It features text, video, imagery and an emotional audio version of the article. It will compete with Cork's Southern Star and their coverage of the 2024 Olympics, the Limerick Leader's general election coverage and a video series in the Nenagh Guardian.

Judges received more than 700 entries for this year’s awards which introduced two new categories for Political Coverage of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year.

"I'm delighted to see the article nominated," Justin Kelly said on Thursday, adding, "Croke Park is a spiritual place for so many people, so to write an article like this that resonated with some many readers and listeners is very special. The fact that it was such a personal article about my relationship with my father certainly adds to the honour of being nominated."

READ MORE: I'll never forget my last time in Croke Park with my Da before he died of mystery illness

In total, Iconic Media Group has received eleven nominations. Iconic Media is Ireland's largest regional and local newspaper publisher, owning the likes of the Offaly Express/Offaly Live, Tullamore Tribune, Leinster Leader, Limerick Leader and Donegal Democrat among others.

The awards are now in their tenth year with its headline sponsors the National Lottery on board for the eighth time. This year’s awards have also received support from Coimisiún na Meán.

Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs for the National Lottery, said: “Through the lens of local journalism, we see the heart of our society, people coming together, overcoming challenges, and making a difference. It’s an honour to help recognise these powerful community stories.”

Nineteen categories reflecting the best of journalism, photography, design, digital initiatives and sales creativity are part of the judging process.

Chair of the judges, author, journalist and broadcaster Alison O’Connor said: “These awards highlight the excellence and diversity of local journalism. Picking winners in the different categories is always a challenging task for the judges - from the sharpness of the news stories to the well-crafted features, interviews and columns. All told, the standard shows how well communities around the country are served by their local newspapers.”

Joining Ms O’Connor on the judging panel are broadcaster and journalist Dearbhail McDonald, Emeritus Professor at TUD Michael Foley, Dawn Wheatley of DCU School of Communications, Managing Director of Kinetic Ireland Andrew Sinclair, photographer and former Irish Times Picture Editor Frank Miller, broadcaster and writer Valerie Cox, journalist and author PJ Cunningham, novelist and newspaper columnist Dr Martina Devlin, Policy Editor of the Business Post Daniel Murray, RTÉ journalist and presenter Katie Hannon, Deputy Night Editor of the Irish Sun Gerry McCarthy and DCU lecturer Conor Tiernan.

Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Mullingar Park Hotel on September 11.

Host for the evening will be RTÉ and Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan.