In a statement issued this morning (March 13), President Michael D. Higgins congratulated Irish award-winners and nominees for their outstanding successes in the 95th Academy Awards.

Irish films, filmmakers, and actors received an unprecedented 14 nominations this award season, a record year for the nation in film. “It’s amazing, there are seven million people on that island [the accurate number is five million] and all of them were nominated," said filmmaker JJ Abrams while hosting the Oscar Wilde Awards, a run-up event to the Academy Awards.

President Higgins first congratulated the cast and crew of An Irish Goodbye for winning best Live Action Short Film– the first Irish win at the Awards. The short detailed the reconnection of two estranged brothers following the death of their mother.

"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," said the former Hot Press columnist, noting the Tallaght animator's huge win for Avatar: Way of Water.

"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," Higgins added, noting those who didn't win but were still nominated.

Farrell and Mescal were both nominated for best actor for their respective work in in The Banshees of Inisherin and Aftersun, and Gleeson and Keoghan were nominated for best supporting actor in The Banshees of Inisherin. Kerry Condon was nominated for best supporting actress in The Banshees of Inisherin.

#BansheesMovie has been nominated for NINE Academy Awards including BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR Martin McDonagh, BEST ACTOR Colin Farrell, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan, and BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Kerry Condon! #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/xjyN0Gzzqc

— The Banshees of Inisherin (@Banshees_Movie) January 24, 2023

Despite nine nominations, The Banshees on Inisherin went home empty handed, with most awards going to multiverse adventure film Everything Everywhere All at Once. 

Higgins continued: "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," a state development board which helps fund, produce and distribute Irish media. "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," President Higgins concluded. "Sabina and myself look forward to hosting a St Patrick's Day reception celebrating the Irish Film, Audio-Visual and Performing Arts Communities."

The reception will be held in Áras an Uachtaráin this Friday and will welcome those who have contributed to the advancement of Irish film this year.