The family of our Oscar-nominated actors have started their journey to the States as the excitement begins to build ahead of the Oscars this weekend.
Aer Lingus rolled out the red carpet for the star-studded flight EI069 heading to Los Angeles this week for the Oscars, which take place on Sunday, March 12.
Paul Mescal's mother and father Dearbhla and Paul Mescal Jnr and sister Nell arrived at Dublin Airport on Wednesday morning ready to fly out to meet their son - who is up for Best Actor - in LA.
READ MORE: https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/paul-mescals-mother-dearbhla-admits-29394749
They all boarded the flight on Wednesday with their "matching luggage".
Dearbhla told her followers on Instagram: "We're on our way, car loaded... Paul, we're coming."
Celebrations have also started early at Paul's old school, Scoil Na Mainistreach in Celbridge, Co Kildare where kids are being asked to dress up as their favourite movie character.
A spokesman for the school wrote on Facebook: "It's a unique and momentous occasion for the school and a small way of showing our support and delight for Mr Mescal on what is a truly remarkable achievement for him, Paul and all the family."
Among those who travelled was the talented leading lady Catherine Clinch from "An Cailín Ciúin", alongside her cast members Carrie Crowley, Andrew Bennett, Michael O’Sullivan, and Kate Nic Chonaonaigh, along with director-producer husband-and-wife team Colm Bairéad and Cleona Ní Chrualaoí.
Pearce Cullen, the producer from "An Irish Goodbye", also received the star treatment as he boarded the flight to join his colleagues who Aer Lingus supported earlier in the week, including actors James Martin and Seamus O’Hara, and directors/producers Ross White and Tom Berkeley.
Donal Moriarty, Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer said: “Aer Lingus is honored to be able to extend our hospitality and support to our home-grown talent as they and their families come together to celebrate this momentous occasion for the Irish film industry.
"Here at Aer Lingus, we want to make every journey count and today our Oscar nominees are making one of their most important journeys as they travel to LA for this year’s Oscars.
"Our teams across Aer Lingus will go above and beyond to make it an experience to remember.
"We wish our Irish stars the very best of luck and hope to have an award or two flying back with us from LA.”
Elsewhere, The Irish Emigration Museum is kicking off the Oscars weekend offering fans a chance to pose with the Oscars statuette at the museum's headquarters in Dublin's docklands.
The statuette was first conceptualised by Cedric Gibbons, a leading figure in the Hollywood film industry at the time.
The statue will be on proud display from March 8 until March 14 in the museum. The initiative will be a welcome one for many movie buffs amid the Oscars buzz, as 14 Irish hopefuls are up for nomination.
Cedric Gibbons was known for his involvement with motion picture theatre between the 1930s and 1950s. The Dublin born director conceptualised the statuette, but it was ultimately American designer George Stanley that made the piece a reality.
EPIC has also launched several Hollywood tours on their schedule for the month of March, which will delight movie buffs following this year's Oscars buzz. The tour will focus on the Irish in Hollywood, including the success of Cedric Gibbons.
And Ladbrokes has teamed up with acclaimed international sand artist Sean Corcoran to create a striking sand portrait of first-time ‘Best Actor’ nominee Colin Farrell ahead of the 95th Oscars.
The sand portrait of the Dublin actor was installed on Keem Bay, Achill, Co.Mayo, the beach which has become globally recognisable from scenes in the Oscar nominated ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’, in which Farrell stars alongside fellow award nominees Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "We are delighted to have collaborated with the very talented Sean Corcoran on this incredible sand art installation to show our support for Colin Farrell, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and indeed all Irish nominees ahead of the Oscars this weekend.
"I think I speak for the entire nation when I say we are immensely proud and firmly behind our native stars for Oscar glory. Here’s to a great night for the Irish in Hollywood!"
READ NEXT:
Cyclists warned over 10 bicycle models recalled in Ireland due to fault posing risk of rider injury
Mystery solved as three bodies found in search for five people missing after night out
Katie Taylor sends Eddie Hearn public ultimatum over Dublin fight
Woman left with a 'myriad of complications' after travelling to Turkey for weight loss surgery
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
