Disappointment in Limerick as Banshees of Inisherin and An Cailín Ciúin lose out at the Oscars

HOPES of some Limerick success in the Oscars were dashed overnight as there were just two Irish winners at the 95th Academy Awards.

Surprisingly, Banshees of Inisherin, which has been winning numerous awards this season, walked home empty handed. 

Staring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the film was nominated for nine academy awards.

Set in the West of Ireland, it has strong Limerick links including costume designer, Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh and comic duo, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny.

Kenny and Shortt play a small role in the major blockbuster, which was Directed by Martin McDonagh. The Lough Gur actor plays Gerry, a lad who sits at the bar in the local pub owned by Jonjo Devine (Pat Shortt) and the pair pick up where they left off from their comedic antics of the 90’s, a double act. 

Sign maker and creator Tom Collins, whose studio is based at Erson's Lane in Limerick city, created mirrors for the pub which was built on set on Achill Island.

Elsewhere, An Cailín Ciúin was nominated for Best International Feature Film but failed to take home the coveted golden gong.

It too has strong Limerick connections as Actor Andrew Bennett, who grew up in Caherconlish playing Séan, the man of the house, in the movie which tells the story of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) - a nine year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with foster parents for the summer.

The Northern Irish comedy-drama An Irish Goodbye won the Oscar for best live action short film while the second Irish winner, in he best visual effects category, was awarded to Dubliner Richard Baneham and his team for Avatar: The Way of Water.

Oscars host welcomes donkey on stage in nod to The Banshees Of Inisherin

Irish actor Paul Mescall was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Aftersun but it was Brendan Fraser who won that while Tipperary actress Kerry Condon missed out to Jamie Lee Curtis who won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

The best actress award went to Michelle Yoeh for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which also won Best Picture.

The 95th Academy Awards took place in Los Angeles in the Dolby Theatre.