Irishman Glen Hansard wins Academy Award

[Dennis Gormley]

I almost didn't recognize Glen Hansard without his five o'clock shadow :)


Glen (first seen in Alan Parker's film adaptation of Roddy Doyle's novel "The Commitments") and Marketa Irglova won the Best Song Oscar for "Falling Slowly", from thier charming film "Once". Wasn't it great to hear Glen say "Go raibh mile maith agaibh" to a world-wide audience?

See a live performance of the song here
Maith thu, A Ghlen!

[Marianne MacDonald]

Their performance was one of the tiny bits of the Oscar's that I caught last night. Having seen the movie, it was nice that they got some recognition. I loved the movie, although many people I spoke to said the music wasn't "Irish" enough (???). I assume they meant it wasn't rebel songs, Take Me Home Again Kathleen, tura lura music. And of course, Daniel Day-Lewis had his second win which from what I've heard of the movie is well-deserved. But for those of you who haven't seen "Once" keep your eyes and ears open for the announcement of the first-ever Irish film festival at the Irish Center...coming your way in late March!!!

[Kathy DeAngelo]

Irish film festival? At the Irish Center? sounds like a great idea--just don't put it on a night when there are some top notch Irish acts performing around the area.... hint hint... with Kevin Burke at the Cultural Center in West Chester on Friday March 28. Where would you have it in that building? Not in the Fireside room I hope, with all the noise from the bar you're likely to get (I don't even like when they have concerts in there). How about in the back behind the ballroom area where they've got a lot of those comfy chairs...

[Denise]

Kathy -- We already scouted out the center and the dates and we think it will be ok. It's a night when there's not much going on at the center (oh, except for a pipe band practice, but really, after a few Smithwicks, you can hardly hear them). Look for a story soon on www.irishphiladelphia.com, and in the Irish Edition in March.

And look for a review of "Once" in March as Jeff, Marianne, and I pretend we're Roger Ebert times three!

[john doherty]

This win has caused alot of chat in Ireland,as we can all join together to take national pride to think that a fellow irishman has done it for himself and won an oscar the song was becoming big in Ireland before the win,but I must admit i didn't relly like it but after the win the song has been played non stop on the radio and now i love it.people say it's not irish enough , but sure if its good what difference does it make!