by There were scenes of jubilation at Dublin Airport as members of the Oscar-winning team behind An Irish Goodbye returned home for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Set against the backdrop of a working farm in rural Northern Ireland, An Irish Goodbye is a black comedy following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the death of their mother.
One of the film’s stars said she “can’t believe” that she will go home with an Oscar after the film previously won a Bafta.
Belfast native James Martin, who plays Lorcan in the film which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, said the success of the project has started to take its toll.
Martin celebrated his birthday the same night as the Oscars, with crowds at the Dolby Theater singing Happy Birthday to him.
“It was a really nice birthday present,” she said.
When asked about the new Hollywood star’s future, she said: “We’ll see what doors might open for me. We’ll see what happens.”
His “very proud mum” Suzanne Martin said she “could feel the love and support from the island of Ireland”.
“He gave a very good account of himself. He has a great work ethic and takes his job very professionally,” he said.
Ms. Martin said they have a busy weekend of celebrations ahead of them, including meeting with the president and appearing on the Late Late Show.
“What a dream weekend,” she said.
When asked how she would celebrate her birthday next year, Ms Martin said: ‘I don’t know what we are going to do next year and he will be looking for something. But nothing will beat those kids singing happy birthday, Colin Farrell giving them a thumbs up, Brendan Gleeson all over the place.
Ross White, who co-directed the film with Tom Berkeley, said holding an Oscar at Dublin airport was “a bit silly”.
Reflecting on the filmmaking process, Ross said the experience was “mind-boggling”.
“When you’re shooting a short film on a small farm in Northern Ireland, you’re not thinking about these kind of lofty heights. And being with the boys on this man’s birthday was just extraordinary,” she said.
He added that they were overwhelmed when the film’s title read as a winner.
“The last thing I remember was Paul Mescal giving me the thumbs up in the aisle, which was bizarre,” she said.
“Then we went up, happy birthday, and the rest was history,” he added.
“We were blown away. It was an amazing journey, we had a lot of fun and said we would celebrate anyway,” she said.
“Coming home feels great and we are thrilled to hit the road back to Belfast for another little homecoming.
“I feel like there will be a lot of partying and the St. Patrick’s Day lines are very nice too!”
White said he always kept his statuette close.
“I’ll keep it somewhere in the house. It’s a bit absurd to think that this Oscar will be living in East Belfast. I’m sure everyone in Belfast will get their hands on this Oscar sooner or later,” he added.
The duo enjoyed their time in Los Angeles, partying with Sir Elton John and attending the Vanity Fair event.
Martin said Sir Elton is a “great guy who knows how to party” and James Corden is “good mover”.
“He went to James Corden and asked him, ‘Is Jennifer Anniston here too?’ That’s who we’ve been looking for, sadly we haven’t met her yet,” White said.
He added that he is working on his third short with Berkeley, which will be released later this year.
“Then we have to lock ourselves in a room somewhere and work on our first feature film,” he said.
“That’s the blessing of something like this, hopefully speeding up that process.”
Producer Pearce Cullen, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, has also arrived at the house.
“It was great. She is slowly starting to sink now that we have landed on land,” she said.
Cullen’s mother Celine said there was still a feeling of “unbelief” in the family.
“Seeing him there in Los Angeles, it’s been an amazing journey and it’s wonderful to see him come home,” she said.
“I hope it’s something he will treasure for the rest of his life because I know I will,” she added.
