Fourteen nominations. Two Oscars. But that was better than none on a night when "Everything Everywhere All at Once" turned into something of an Oscar runaway train.
President Michael D Higgins was today congratulating Ireland's Oscar nominees and winners at Sunday night's Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Said Higgins: "May I congratulate ‘An Irish Goodbye’ and Richard Baneham for their fantastic achievements in winning the Best Live-Action Short Film and Best Visual Effects Awards respectively at last night's Oscars ceremony.
"May I further extend my congratulations to Colin Farrell, Paul Mescal, Kerry Condon, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Jonathan Redmond and all involved with An Cailín Ciúin and The Banshees of Inisherin for the exceptional recognition of their work which being nominated for an Academy Award constitutes.
"This has been a remarkable year for the Irish film industry and is a testament to the hard work of so many people over recent decades.
"It is particularly welcome to see the recognition which the Irish film industry is receiving on what is the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board, now Screen Ireland, in 1993. The success which we are seeing is built on the acquisition of skills and pursuit of excellence by all in the Irish film community.
"As a gesture to all that has been achieved, and the important contribution of the film and related industries to Irish life, Sabina and myself look forward to hosting a St Patrick's Day reception celebrating the Irish Film, Audio-Visual and Performing Arts Communities at Áras an Uachtaráin this Friday."
Richard Baneham, from Dublin, won a an Oscar for his work on" Avatar: The Way of Water."
The victory for An Irish Goodbye delivered a special Oscar moment. The film's star, James Martin, has Down syndrome and when it was announced that it was his birthday the Oscar audience sang Happy birthday to him.
Reported the Irish Times on the night's outcome for the two main Irish hopes: "The An Cailín Ciúin team remained positive. 'This is a historic day for Irish film,' (director Colm) Bairéad said. 'It’s the first time an Irish-language feature film has ever been nominated for the Academy Awards. We are all Irish speakers ourselves. It means a great deal to us that we’re here making history today.'
"Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, up for nine prizes, somehow walked away with none. It looked in competition for best original screenplay but was crushed by the hurtling train that is Everything Everywhere All at Once. Kerry Condon had a good chance in best supporting actress but lost to the ebullient Jamie Lee Curtis.
"Early in his monologue host Jimmy Kimmel "had acknowledged the astonishing nomination tally of Irish actors. Fully a quarter of those competing were from these shores."
