Oscar-nominee Martin McDonagh has penned a thank you to his father’s homeplace in Connemara.
It comes after locals erected three billboards outside Leitir Mealláin to celebrate his film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
The film lost out on the best picture award at last night’s Oscar ceremony to Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water.
McDonagh’s lead actor Frances Mc Dormand took home the best actress gong for her performance.
Meanwhile Sam Rockwell, another of the film’s stars, won best supporting actor.
The Leitir Mealláin billboards read 'Comhghairdeas Martin McDonagh', 'Réalt Mór Leitir Mealláin', 'Réalt Mór Hollywood'
Trí chlár fhógra ar imeall oileán Leitirmealláin @Nuacht_Chasla @NuachtTG4 #MartinMcDonagh #Threebillboards pic.twitter.com/DcGJxXPDnu
— Róisín Nic Leoid (@rnicleoid) February 17, 2018
Translated they read 'Congratulations Martin McDonagh', 'Big Lettermullan Star', 'Big Hollywood Star.'
In a note sent to RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta, McDonagh said he hopes to visit the town soon:
Agus gradam na #Oscars beagnach linn, nach tráthúil gur tháinig an nóta buíochais seo ó Mhartin McDonagh le léamh amach ar @RTERnaG inniu faoi na #ThreeBillboards atá feistithe i Leitir Mealláin. Go n-éirí go geal leis fhéin & @3Billboards ag na #Oscars anocht! pic.twitter.com/a2gRcisNt3
— Marion Ní Shúilleabháin (@Marion508) March 4, 2018
The translation reads:
"I would like to say thanks a million to everyone who took part in putting up the billboards in Leitir Mealláin.
"Thanks to the farmer who gave his land, to the school, to the Heritage Centre, to the committee in Comhar Chuigéil and a big, big thank you to the lads who did the hard work of putting up the billboards.
"I have seen the pictures, and they look wonderful. I hope to get out there to see them for myself. Fair play everyone. Martin."
It was a disappointing night for the Irish in Hollywood, with Saoirse Ronan, Cartoon Saloon and Consolata Boyle all also missing out on their Oscars.