Proud family back Oscar nominee all the way to LA

As the big stars preen themselves before the cameras of the world, one of the proudest people at the glitzy Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday night will be a quiet Kerry woman.

Irene Cronin O’Reilly may seem calm but she will be excited to sit alongside her daughter, Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly, 26, who has been nominated for an Oscar for her short animated film, Head Over Heels.

But, even if Irene will be told what nearly every other fashionista wants to know — what her talented daughter will be wearing — she is “staying mum”.

“I won’t know until Saturday but I think it’ll be something quirky,” said Irene, who has also arrived in Los Angeles.

“I’m sure it will be something stunning that will catch the eye, something very gorgeous.”

It took Kildare designer Laura-Jayne Halton just five days to craft a couture gown for Fodhla before she left for LA on Jan 24, but the details remain secret.

“It has already been agreed the details of the dress Fodhla is wearing will be kept under wraps until she has worn it. This will not change,” a tight-lipped Ms Halton said yesterday.

Speculation, nevertheless, is that red or black will be among the colours, and satin has been mentioned as a likely material.”

Keeping well away from all the hype of LA on Oscars night will be Fodhla’s dad, Patrick O’Reilly, who will watch the show on TV at home in Cromane near Killorglin.

“I’ve signed up for a Sky Movies package, something I’d resisted for years but this is going to be a show I just wouldn’t miss for anything. The thought of seeing Irene and Fodhla walk up the famed red carpet together is unreal,” he confided.

“This place is like a fashion house for the past couple of weeks, with all kinds of dresses, hats, bags, and buckles all over the house. The excitement is unbelievable — all building up to a climax on Sunday.”

Locals are getting into the spirit of the occasion and Head Over Heels will be shown in Teahan’s public house, Cromane, at 9.30pm on Sunday, following a matinee for children.

Win or lose, the 11-minute film — which Fodhla produced — is the only student film in contention and could be the springboard for a successful movie career.

Fodhla has spent the past month in the US and attended the Annie Awards for the best animated films in the University of California, with Head Over Heels taking the garlands in the student film category.

Fodhla, one of a family of six children, has also been meeting some leading figures in the industry along the US west coast, as well as visiting top studios.

While the competition at the Academy Awards is fierce, nobody is writing off the chances of a gleaming Oscar statuette coming to the fishing village of Cromane.

Nick Park, creator of the British animation series Wallace and Gromit, described Head Over Heels as “one of those stand-out little gems that doesn’t come around that often”.

The last words, though, to Irene O’Reilly: “I’m hopeful, but she’s up against huge names. You’d never know.

“I can’t wait for Sunday night. The buzz is out of this world. It’s my first time in LA and it’s unlikely I’ll ever again go to the Oscars, so I’m going to enjoy it to the full — no matter what happens.”