IRISH ACTRESS SAOIRSE Ronan is set to receive the Maureen O’Hara Award at the upcoming Kerry Film Festival.
The announcement was made ahead of the festival, which is due to run from 9-25 October in various locations across the county, including Tralee, Listowel, Kenmare and Waterville.
The 18-year-old, who was born in New York City, is to be honoured in recognition of her success to date.
As a previous winner of numerous Irish Film and Television Awards, Ronan is also one of the youngest ever actresses to have been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2008 for the film Atonement. She was just 14-years-old at the time.
Opening the festival will be the film Pilgrim Hill, which details rural life in Kerry. The film won the Bingham Ray New Talent Award at the Galway Film Fleadh.
This year’s festival is also set to showcase over 100 shorts, including many from Kerry.
The BAFTA-winning short film Pitch Black Heist, which stars Michael Fassbender and Liam Cunningham, is also set to be shown.
Festival Director Sarah Smyth believes that next month’s festival should help some of Ireland’s homegrown talent to emerge internationally:
Kerry Film Festival is delighted to be able to shine a light on the wealth of film-making talent right here in the county. More than ever we are dedicated to opening doors and providing international opportunities to young and emerging filmmakers.
Maureen O’Hara is probably best known for her portrayal of Mary Kate Danaher in the 1952 film The Quiet Man.
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