Carlow actress nominated for an Oscar draws praise from the president

Carlow actress Saoirse Ronan has been nominated for an Oscar at the upcoming awards ceremony in Hollywood on February 28. The 21-year-old has been nominated in the Best Actress category for her starring role in the movie Brooklyn.

Alongside Ronan in the category are Cate Blanchett(Carol), Brie Larson(Room), Jennifer Lawrence(Joy), Charlotte Rampling(45 Years).

Ronan plays Eilis in the film Brooklyn, a woman torn between her love for her native homeland in Ireland and the life that she has made for herself in America since emigrating. She also has to deal with her feelings for an Italian man who she fell in love with and secretly married while in the states.

Ronan was born in New York but moved to Carlow in 1997 before she later moved to Howth. Her first big acting role came in 2003 when she featured in RTÉ medical drama The Clinic.

President Michael D Higgins expressed his delight at the number of Irish stars nominated for awards, while also praising Ronan for her performance.

"I am delighted to send my warmest congratulations to the Irish nominees on the occasion of the unprecedented strong Irish representation at the Oscars 2016.

"This year's Oscars shortlist is a remarkable testimony of the vitality and diversity of the talent available to the Irish film industry. I want to welcome the recognition for talents such as that of Saoirse Ronan, nominated for Best Actress nomination for ‘Brooklyn'," a statement from the president read.