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THE lead-up to this year’s Oscars will be more exciting than usual in Kerry as Killarney’s Michael Fassbender has been nominated in the Academy Awards’ coveted Best Actor category.
Michael was previously Oscar nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category in 2014 for Twelve Years a Slave.
Meanwhile, fellow Irish thespian Saoirse Ronan has received an Oscar nod for Best Actress for her performance in Brooklyn. The Carlow native was previously nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 2008 for her role in Atonement.
An unprecedented two Irish films have been shortlisted for Best Film at the year's Oscars. Room, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, and Brooklyn, directed by John Crowley, are among on the 10-strong Best Picture shortlist. Abrahamson is also shortlisted for Best Director.
Recent Golden Globe winner Brie Larson was also nominated for her performance in the Irish co-production Room.
Room author Emma Donoghue is among the Best Adapted Screenplay nominees for her script of her own bestselling novel, and is joined in that category by English writer Nick Hornby, who adapted Colm Tóibín's Brooklyn for the big screen.
The Oscars, hosted by Chris Rock, take place on Sunday February 28.