Offaly photographer named as finalist in Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

Offaly photographer Celine Nic Oireachtaigh has been named as a finalist in the in Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026.

Her photo 'Zonkling', which depicts a sleepy gosling, earned her a spot among 43 finalists in the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.

Celine, who is originally from Dublin, has lived in Lumcloon for over 10 years.

She is an active member of Tullamore Camera Club, and describes herself as "an amateur nature photographer, with a particular interest snapping flora and fauna in our wetlands and boglands" which she shares on her Instagram page @bogshuffler.

Comedy Wildlife was founded in 2015 as a fun, light hearted competition with a powerful mission at its heart.

Created by Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, it has since grown into a world renowned award, reaching billions of people and carrying a vital conservation message at its core.

Nikon joined as a partner in 2024 and the competition was renamed "Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards".

Each year, 10% of the competition’s profits are donated to the competition's chosen charity. This year, Nikon Comedy Wildlife will support Born Free, an international wildlife charity that has spent over 40 years preventing the exploitation and suffering of wild animals, both in captivity and in the wild.

The winners of the competition will be announced on Tuesday, December 8, at a ceremony in London.