All the Feckin' Irish Oscar Nominees - and where to watch 'em

Kenneth Branagh's Belfast scored six nominations in 2022. In The Name of the Father scored seven nominations in 1994. But 2023 is the year Oscar went big-time Irish. For Oscars 2023, a record 14 feckin' nominations are from Ireland.

Lucky coincidence that Oscar Sunday kicks off the week of St. Patricks Day.

Martin McDonagh's Banshees of Inisherin has nine top nominations. Paul Mescal (Normal People) is also up for best actor for his unforgettable turn in indie fave Aftersun. And other nominations include Best International Film and Best Live Action short. Sounds like some good streaming choices leading up to Oscar Night and St. Paddy's weekend, doesn't it? Here's what you need to know.

The Banshees of Inisherin

Colin Farrell, the actor who stars in a lot of movies you expect to be good, but aren’t, is finally in a good film. It’s so feckin’ good. Banshees reunites In Bruge actors Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as frenemies living on the made-up Irish island of Inisherin in the 1920s.

The island may not be real but from its thatched roofs, thick accents, local characters and dark brew pubs, this gorgeous film sure makes it seem so. Writer and Director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Illinois) has assembled a dark comedy about two men and a friendship severed while giving a finger to predictive storytelling.

Banshees is nominated for all the major awards: Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Editing, Score and four acting nominations (Colin Farell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan.

Where to watch: In theaters and available on HBOMax and VOD

Aftersun

Born in Maynooth, Ireland Paul Mescal scored his first TV acting job as Connell in Normal People. He was nominated for an Emmy.

His first movie role? The young father in Aftersun, a well-loved movie that is sitting on Rotten Tomatoes at 95%. He's nominated for Best Actor and yea, he is the next big thing.

Aftersun is a daughter's (Frankie Corio) memory of a vacation in Turkey with her idealistic father, lovingly told. With patience given for its slow pace, tiny details and minimal plot, the film delivers on storytelling and its unexpected sweetness stays with you long after.

Where to watch: Rent or buy on VOD

An Irish Goodbye

At a farm in rural Northern Ireland, a pair of estranged brothers are reunited after a premature death. Kinda the opposite story of feckin' Banshees of Inisherin in that it may move you to reconnect with a loved one.

The relationship of Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) who returns home and his brother Lorcan (James Martin) completely works. An Irish Goodbye is a contender with a nomination for Best Short Film — Live Action.

Where to watch: In theaters playing the Short Films and available on RealGood TV

The Quiet Girl (An Cailin Ciuin) 

"The Quiet Girl" has been nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature film, the first Irish-language film to be so honored.

I have not yet seen this film, a coming-of-age drama about a nine-year-old who’s abandoned by her poverty-stricken parents and sent to live with distant relatives. It is nominated for Best International Feature Film.

Where to watch: Opened this Friday in theaters.

Additionally, Jonathan Redmond was nominated for best editing for his work on Elvis and Richard Baneham was nominated for best visual effects for Avatar: The Way of Water. With St. Patrick's Day coming up soon and the Oscars even sooner, it looks like a good excuse to fire up the TV and have a gargle.