Galway gets an Oscar ‘bualadh bos’ for its unique sign of love...
OSCAR nominee Martin McDonagh has written a note in Irish to thank the Connemara community who erected three billboards in support of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
The 47-year-old, who wrote and directed the film, sent the note to RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta for the parish of Leitir Mealláin in Galway.
The film received seven Oscar nomination, winning two. And while he lost out in the Best Director category, McDonagh was the pride of the parish in his father Johnny Mhichael Choilm Mac Donncha’s native Connemara.
Earlier this month, the people of Connemara erected three billboards outside Leitir Mealláin. The signs read: ‘Réalt Mór Hollywood’, ‘Réalt Mór Leitir Mealláin’, and ‘Comhghairdeas Martin McDonagh’, translating as ‘Hollywood Star’, ‘Leitir Mealláin Star’ and ‘Congratulation Martin McDonagh’. Locals said McDonagh’s parents had informed him of the billboards. He was delighted with the home support – and he returned the love with his note written ‘as Gaeilge’. The letter was sent to RnaG presenter Máirtín Tom Sheáinín to be read out on his request programme Togha agus Rogha on Sunday.
The note translates: ‘I’d like to say thanks a million to everyone involved in putting up the billboards in Leitir Mealláin. Thanks for the farmer who gave his land, to the school, to the Heritage Centre, to the committee in Comhar Chuigéil and, especially, to the lads who did the hard work of putting up the billboards. I’ve seen the pictures, and they look brilliant. I hope to get over to see them for myself soon. ‘Fair play to you all, Martin.’