Win or lose, Isle be having a party

Residents watch ceremony with finger food in witty nod to film...

- NICOLA DONNELLY

WIN or lose for The Banshees of Inisherin, there will be a party on an Irish isle tonight.

The red carpet has been rolled out and life-size cutouts of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are in place as Oscar excitement reaches fever pitch in an Achill Island pub.

Due to the lam start of the awards this morning, McLoughlin's bar on the island off the west coast where The Banshees of Inisherin was partly filmed is celebrating all things Oscars this evening instead.

Publican Josie McLoughlin and his partner Jackie Memory are pulling out all the stops for locals to absorb the success of Martin McDonagh's film, which was up for nine gongs.

The success of the movie has been celebrated on the island where locals took part as extras during its filming in 2021.

But, because of licensing laws, the pub wasn't able to hold its party last night - so tonight is the night for their Oscars bash.