MINISTER for the Environment Brendan Howlin joked this week that Cabinet colleague Michael D. Higgins had cried off launching the special preview in the Customs House of the RTE programme about James Gandon because he was collecting his Oscar for best supporting minister.
It was not so, and Michael D. wasn't the only one surprised that Mel Gibson failed to mention Ireland when he carried off the Oscars for Braveheart. Was he disappointed?
Not really, he told Quidnunc on his way back from Donegal. "I am philosophical. I think there will be a future occasion. I understand the nature of the event - it would not have been the place for acknowledging in any detail those who made the film possible."
For the record, 67 per cent of the movie was made here - 43 per cent on location in Kildare and Meath and 23 per cent in Ardmore. There was a direct spend of £13.2 million and 2,400 people were employed. Ireland will benefit in the long run, he says, just as we did from The Quiet Man and Ryan's Daughter.