Gavin O Fearraigh gets some practice in.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
AS Hollywood was flooded with its biggest stars for Academy Awards recently, Donegal’s Gavin Ó Fearraigh got a chance to mingle with the stars on the red carpet.
The Gaoth Dobhair native, who lives in Los Angeles, attended a pre Oscar party on Friday night where he met nominated actors Gary Oldman, Christopher Plummer, Kenneth Branagh and several other, as well as celebrities such as Victoria Beckham.
“It was very exciting to meet some of these renowned actors last weekend and I even got the opportunity to hold an actual Oscar, so hopefully that wasn’t the last time,” he laughed.
Gavin also attended the Irish Oscar Party following the Academy Awards ceremony at the Hollywood and Highland Center on Sunday night.
The party was held at The Den Of Hollywood, Bar & Restaurant, on Sunset Boulevard and the stars of the event, of course, were Irish winners Terry and Oorlagh George.
The father and daughter team celebrated after Terry’s film The Shore won an Oscar in the live action short category at the Academy Awards.
The Shore was filmed on Terry’s family cottage at Coney Island near Ardglass and stars major Irish actors, including Ciaran Hinds, Maggie Cronin and Conleth Hill.
The Belfast man was previously nominated for his screenplays for Hotel Rwanda and In the Name of the Father. He praised his daughter who raised the funding and acted as producer.
Gavin said: “Terry and Oonagh were the toast of the party and Irish from all over attended the party to congratulate the two and celebrate with them.”
Gavin will be back in Donegal this summer to run his annual Irish language college, An Chead Ghlúin Eile, located in his native townland of Bun a’ Leaca.
“I’m really looking forward to coming home for the college in July as I didn’t make it home at Christmas due to work commitments. It’s going to be a fun-filled few weeks for the students this summer, especially with renowned choreographer Marcel Wilson coming to teach them.”
An Chead Ghlúin Eile runs from July 1 to 21.