Saoirse Ronan (featured in our Top 100, page 44) didn’t take home an Academy Award at the big show on February 24, but the 13-year-old Hollywood star has a busy 2008 planned. Ronan was nominated as a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in Atonement. Prior to the Oscars, Ronan was happy just to be going to the show, which was nearly canceled because of the prolonged … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood
Film & Television
Emotional Return to Belfast for Liam Neeson
By Mary Egan
April / May 2008
April / May 2008
New York-based movie star Liam Neeson flew home to Northern Ireland in January to take part in the final curtain call at Belfast’s historic Lyric Players Theatre on the banks of the River Lagan which is closing to make way for a $30 million redevelopment. Liam’s appearance on stage earned him a standing ovation from a delighted capacity crowd. Afterwards he went backstage to … [Read more...] about Emotional Return to Belfast for Liam Neeson
Oscar joy for Once and Day-Lewis
It was a victorious night for the Irish independent movie Once, as its stars and songwriters Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova picked up an Oscar for best original song for “Falling Slowly” at the ceremony held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on February 24. It was the first nomination and win for both, and Hansard could hardly believe what was happening as he accepted the … [Read more...] about Oscar joy for Once and Day-Lewis
The Reluctant Star: Ciaran Hinds
Ciarán Hinds is lovely. Now, perhaps I shouldn’t admit that because part of Hinds’ attraction is that he remains somewhat of an unknown. In fact, one fan found it so hard to find information on Hinds that she started a website www.Ciaranitis.com, for those “smitten with Ciarán Hinds.” Hinds has appeared in a wealth of movies and plays over the years, yet he remains on the … [Read more...] about The Reluctant Star: Ciaran Hinds
Irish Eye on Hollywood
Many TV critics have argued that since The Sopranos went off the air, HBO has been a bit adrift. Well, now the cable channel is turning to Irish stage and screen veteran Gabriel Byrne for what can only be described as a bold experiment. Having had some success with shows revolving around psychiatrists and their patients (remember Tony Soprano and Dr. Melfi?), Byrne will star in … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood