Gloss-ip: Everything The Irish Wore, And Won, At Last Night’s Academy Awards

There was a record 14 nominations for Irish talent at last night’s 95th Academy Awards, including nine for the tragicomedy The Banshees of Inisherin starring Colin Farrell and directed by Martin McDonagh, and also for An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl – the first Irish-language film to be nominated for an Oscar. Both films lost out, though there was victory for the Northern Irish film, An Irish Goodbye, which won for Best Live Action Short Film. Filmed in Derry, Templepatrick and Saintfield, it was directed and written by Ross White and Tom Berkeley, and tells the story of two estranged brothers who come together after their mother’s death. The black comedy, set on a rural farm, stars actor James Martin as Lorcan, alongside Seamus O’Hara who plays his older brother Turlough. Martin, the first actor with Down’s Syndrome to win an Academy Award, celebrated his  birthday yesterday and was serenaded by the star-studded audience. He later told the BBC that he plans to bring the award home to his drama group in Belvoir, Belfast. Dubliner Richard Baneham won a second award for visual effects for his work on Avatar: The Way of Water.

Main image: Barry Keoghan, Paul Mescal and Kerry Condon arrive at the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Pic: Getty Images. 

Colin Farrell poses on the champagne carpet with his son Henry alongside Brendan Gleeson and wife Mary Gleeson. Pic: Getty Images.

President Michael D Higgins was quick to congratulate the nominees and winners, reflecting on a “remarkable year for the Irish film industry and a testament to the hard work of so many people over recent decades.” In a statement, he said: “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. 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 Scannan na hEireann/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.”

Meanwhile, Everything Everywhere All At Once won an impressive seven Oscars. These included Best Picture, Best Director, (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan) and Best Original Screenplay. Michelle, the first Asian actress to win the award, dedicated the award to her mother and gave an inspiring acceptance speech, calling out ageism in Hollywood.  “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that – dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you that you are past your prime. Never.” 

But what about the fashion? The Irish cohort celebrated style and indigenous designers on last night’s champagne-coloured red carpet. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Banshees of Inisherin Kerry Condon wowed in a pastel yellow gown by Atelier Versace, with earrings, ring and bracelet by Japanese Niwaka fine jewellery.

Members of the cast and crew of An Cailín Ciúin pose on the red carpet at the 95th Academy Awards. There were gold and blue gowns, from left, on Carrie Crowley, Catherine Clinch, Cleona Ní Chrualaoí and Kate Nic Chonaonaigh. 

Rejoice! The red carpet is finally going rental (and about time, too). Galway actress Kate Nic Chonaonaigh – who plays the role of Mam in An Cailín Ciúin – stunned in a rental gown from Designer Room, (see above and below) the luxury designer rental store in Sandymount. It’s not the first time Kate has chosen to rent a look for the awards circuit, she opted for a lush navy asymmetric gown, also from Designer Room, at this year’s BAFTAs too. Nic Chonaonaigh’s jewellery was by an Irish designer – Bláithín Ennis, who recently provided Paul Costelloe with accessories for his catwalk show at London Fashion Week. Those looking to replicate Kate’s look can rent the gold dress worn by the actress (it’s by luxe evening wear brand Mac Duggal, which has been worn by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Jenner) here.

Nic Chonaonaigh’s co-star Carrie Crowley wowed in a lamé and lace gown by Irish designer Deborah Veale, accessorising it with jewellery from Seamus Gill. Star of the film 13-year-old Catherine Clinch, who plays Cáit, wore a gorgeous blue puff sleeve gown by Caterina Coyne – the Irish professional dancer turned fashion designer who recently opened a boutique on Sunset Boulevard. Producer of the film Cleona Ní Chrualaoí also wore a striking embellished, asymmetric gown by Coyne. 

Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley, who stars in Women Talking, which was nominated for Best Picture and won for Best Adapted Screenplay, wore a purple and gold hand-beaded metallic lace gown by Rodarte, from the brand’s autumn winter 2023 collection. 

It’s no surprise, given the current appetite for tailoring, that some of the most notable outfits of the evening were worn by the men. Paul Mescal, nominated in the Best Actor category for Aftersun, nodded to 1970s glamour in his look by Gucci. From the high waisted trousers, white dinner jacket and red corsage (a nod to the spring summer 2023 catwalks, and – we like to think – a little nod to classic Carrie Bradshaw) – it’s a suit that has androgynous appeal. Would we wear this whole look? Emphatically, yes!

Barry Keoghan, Paul Mescal and Kerry Condon. Pic: Getty Images.

Mescal, who attended the ceremony with his mother Dearbhla, paired it with retro stack heel boots, something we’re all familiar with thanks to Harry Styles. Keeping with the high-octane theme, Mescal’s watch and lapel pin were by Cartier, of course. Barry Keoghan also reinvented the classic tuxedo, opting for a lilac two-piece by Louis Vuitton. Equally suave, Colin Farrell, also nominated in the Best Actor category, twinned on the red carpet with his 13-year-old son Henry: both wore matching tuxedos, with velvet jackets and silk-satin lapels, by Dolce & Gabbana. 

Seamus O’Hara, one of the stars of An Irish Goodbye, which took home the gong for Best Live Action Short, wore a three-piece suit in Glencheck Donegal tweed by Magee 1866. This was complemented by the Valentine parchment pocket square and pin from Irish designer Sara O’Neil’s brand Éadach. The film’s director Ross White also added some ritz to his tuxedo care of the Merrion scarf and Valentine square, also by Sara O’Neil. Irish design was present at the after party too, at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party too director Janicza Bravo – a director on buzzed about show Poker Face, starring Natasha Lyonne – wore a black and white look by Simone Rocha.