Success for Irish films in Oscar nominations

There was some significant success for Irish projects when the nominations for this year's Academy Awards were announed today.

There was some significant success for Irish projects when the nominations for this year's Academy Awards were announced today.

'The Secret of Kells', which features the voices of well-known Irish actors Brendan Gleeson and Mick Lally, was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film.

It tells the story of a 9th Century boy who dreams of completing the Book of Kells.

Meanwhile, another Irish animation studio has been shortlisted in the short-film category for 'Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty'.

Its the second Oscar nomination for Brownbag Films in the past eight years - having previously been shortlisted for 'Give Up Yer Aul Sins' in 2002.

There was disappointment for Irish actress Saoirse Ronan however, who was being tipped for a nod for her performance in 'The Lovely Bones'.