Presidential praise for our award-winners
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President Mary McAleese led the tributes to Ireland's triumphant Oscar winners yesterday, hailing the two wins as a "further sign of the inexhaustible supply of creativity and talent with which this country has been blessed".
She also said she was "delighted" to congratulate both Daniel Day-Lewis for his best actor gong and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irlgova for their success in the best music (Song) category.
"2008 has been a tremendously successful year for Irish cinema, as witnessed by the many international nominations and awards already garnered," the President added.
Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Seamus Brennan also heaped praise on the successful threesome, calling the Oscar wins "wonderful news".
Delighted
"I am delighted to see that Irish film-making has once again been recognised at the Oscars ceremony," he said.
"Film and filmmaking is a great value to Ireland, both financially and as a cultural asset for the country," he added.
Mr Brennan also congratulated Saoirse Ronan, the 13-year-old from Carlow who was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for 'Atonement'. She eventually lost out to Britain's Tilda Swinton for 'Michael Clayton'.
And, speaking after the ceremony, Glen Hansard's mum, Catherine, from Killester in Dublin, said her son's win was "for Ireland".
"All I can say I suppose, and it's typical of an Irish woman, but the last time I felt this feeling was when I met the pope in the Phoenix Park," she told RTE Radio.
She called the night "unbelievable" and said "she met so many stars".
"I met Daniel Day Lewis, I met Jack Nicholson and the woman sitting in front of me was Faye Dunaway."
- Fiach Kelly
