In the nominations for the Golden Globe film awards, announced in Los Angeles yesterday, Jim Sheridan's film, In America, has been nominated in two categories.
Sheridan and his daughters, Naomi and Kirsten, have been nominated for best screenplay. Bono, Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer are nominees for best original song with Time Enough For Tears, performed by Andrea Corr over the closing credits of In America.
In the best actress category, Cate Blanchett is nominated for her portrayal of the title role in Veronica Guerin.
The Afghan film, Osama, which is nominated for best foreign-language film, has an Irishwoman, Julie le Brocquy, among its three producers.
Presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the awards are regarded as an indication of the Oscar nominations to follow. In the Golden Globe television nominations, the Tennessee Williams adaptation, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone, which was substantially filmed in Ireland last year, has been nominated for best actress (Helen Mirren) and best TV film.
The William Trevor adaptation, My House in Umbria, has been nominated in the same two categories, with Maggie Smith as its best actress nominee.
Leading the field in this year's Golden Globe film nominations is Anthony Minghella's American Civil War drama, Cold Mountain, which has eight nominations, including best picture (drama), best director, best actress (Nicole Kidman) and best actor (Jude Law).
The other nominees for best picture (drama) are Mystic River, Seabiscuit, Master and Commander and Return of the King.
Joining Jude Law on the shortlist for best actor (drama) are Tom Cruise (The Last Samurai), Sean Penn (Mystic River), Russell Crowe (Master and Commander) and Ben Kingsley (House of Sand and Fog).
Other nominees for best actress (drama) are Uma Thurman (Kill Bill, Vol 1), Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen), Scarlett Johansson (Girl With a Pearl Earring) and Charlize Theron (Monster).