Oscars 2024: Cillian Murphy and Dublin-team behind Poor Things seal ‘hugely successful year for Irish film’

Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win and four Academy awards for a Dublin film company have sealed a “hugely successful year for Irish film”.

The coveted best actor gong for the Cork-born actor and awards for Poor Things, co-produced by Ireland’s Element Pictures, has been described as a “great night for the Irish in Hollywood”.

Poor Things, which had secured 11 Oscar nominations, went home with four awards on Sunday night, including a lead actress gong for Emma Stone and wins for production design, makeup and hairstyling and costume design.

Irish producers Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe from Element Pictures had been nominated for Best Picture for their work on Poor Things and Irish cinematographers Robbie Ryan was also shortlisted.

Boarded up: Residents of apartment block opposite bonfire site, and previously attacked, living without sunlight

Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit Northern Ireland

Messages of congratulations have been sent to Murphy, who became the first Irish-born star to scoop the coveted Best Actor award for his role in Oppenheimer.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “absolutely thrilled and delighted” for Murphy.

He said it was “a very proud day for Cork and Ireland”, for an “outstanding film that will stand the test of time”.

The Irish success was also welcomed by Irish Minister for Culture and Arts Catherine Martin, who spoke of her delight for Murphy.

“This award for his title role in Oppenheimer is the pinnacle of any actor’s career and a fitting recognition of the immense talent of Cillian Murphy,” she said.

“Long a favourite of Irish audiences on stage and screen, he has since shown himself to be a master of his craft and has secured his place among the world’s greatest actors.

“This Oscar success is no more than he deserves and I wish him every success in all his future films.”

The minister also said she was “delighted for the Irish team” behind Poor Things, adding that the four gongs were “truly well deserved”.

She added: “2023 was a hugely successful year for Irish film production and Irish talent.

“I hope this Academy Award is a starting point for more success and acclaim for the large pool of talent existing in the Irish film industry.

President Michael D Higgins also congratulated Murphy and Element Pictures for their success with Poor Things.

A post on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere”.

Ireland’s ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason said it was a “great night for the Irish”.

“Congratulations to the incredible Irish winners at Oscars2024,” she said on X.

“Great night for the Irish in Hollywood!

“Our own Cillian Murphy’s performance in Oppenheimer Film makes him the first Irish-born actor to take home the Oscar for Best Actor & Element Pictures take home four awards”.

Désirée Finnegan, chief executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said: “Sincere congratulations from everyone at Screen Ireland to Cillian Murphy on winning the Academy Award for best actor.

“We are delighted to see such a talented Irish artist receive worldwide recognition and critical acclaim for his extraordinary performance.

“Throughout the years Cillian Murphy has delivered so many outstanding performances in Irish films, from Disco Pigs to The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and more recently in Small Things Like These, and we look forward to working with him again in the future.

“We hope that the next generation of Irish film-makers and artists watching Cillian bring his Oscar home will be inspired to continue the pursuit of their craft in the Irish film industry.”