Limerick raised Ruth Negga Oscar Nomination for Best Actress

Ruth Negga Oscar Nomination is for the film ‘Loving. Ruth pictured above with co-star  Joel Edgerton in a scene from the film.

Limerick raised actress Ruth Negga has been nominated in the Best Actress category at the 2017 Academy Awards. The Ruth Negga Oscar Nomination is for her role in Loving, in which she stars as one-half of an interracial couple who break the law by getting married in 1960s Virginia, was announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.  

This year’s nominations were formally announced via live stream, where Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs was joined by a host of Oscar winners and nominees including Demian Bichir, Brie Larson, Ken Watanabe, Jennifer Hudson, Gabourey Sidibe, Dustin Lance Black, Emmanuel Lubezki and Jason Reitman.  

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Not since Richard Harris was nominated for an Academy Award in 1991, has another Limerick star touched Oscar glory.  

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon, said he will be writing to her on behalf of the citizens of Limerick to send his congratulations and every best wish for the upcoming ceremony itself.  

“I was absolutely delighted to hear the news, and all of Limerick is certainly rooting for her.  It’s great for Limerick – we’re on the map now in the film industry, especially with our new purpose built Troy Film Studios in Castletroy open for business. Ruth is the second Limerick person to be nominated for an Academy Award.  Richard Harris was nominated twice.” 

“Ruth has done her family in Dooradoyle and Limerick very proud.  I will be writing to her on behalf of the citizens of Limerick to congratulate her on her nomination and the best of luck at the ceremony next month.  Win or lose, I would love to invite her and her family to a Mayoral Reception when her schedule allows.”  

Ruth Negga, an only child, was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she lived until she was four years old, before moving to Limerick. Her mother Nora was working in Ethiopia as a nurse when she met Negga’s father. He was due to move to Limerick to be with them after they left but died in a car accident when Ruth was just seven years old.  

Ruth attended national school in Roxboro, and later spent part of her secondary school at the all-girls Scoil Carmel on O’Connell Avenue, which has now closed its doors. She moved to London after completing her drama studies at Trinity College Dublin.  

Ruth’s mother Nora now lives in London, after moving from Limerick, and there are four other aunts and uncles from the Dooradoyle Road and even more cousins. 

Among her cousins in Limerick is Peter Malone who has played rugby with Bruff, St Munchin’s, Garryowen, Munster, and who is now Munster Rugby’s elite player development manager.   

Her cousin Dave Malone has frequently been her companion of choice as she stepped out on successive red carpets at the Golden Globes, and previously in New York and Cannes.  

Ruth has had a very successful career, featuring in popular movies such as Isolation and Warcraft to television shows like BBC’s mini-series Criminal Justice and E4’s Misfits.  

She has been nominated not only for the Oscars for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mildred in Loving, but was also a nominee for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, and a BAFTA Rising Star Award. 

“I am truly humbled by the news, and I thank the Academy for this recognition, which I share with my co-collaborators Jeff Nichols and Joel Edgerton,” she said in a statement.

The former Love/Hate star, 35, is nominated for her role in Loving, which tells the true story of an illegal inter-racial marriage in 1950s Virginia.

The couple battled before the Supreme Court in 1967 for their right to live together as husband and wife.

“It has been such an honour to have been given the opportunity to tell the incredible story of Richard and Mildred Loving, who serve as an inspiration that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

“The Lovings fought quietly yet tirelessly, and changed the course of American legal history.

“To be among such extraordinary women – my fellow nominees, my peers with films this year, and the legendary performers whose work of years past has long inspired me. This means a really great deal to me,” she said.

In a successful day for Irish film, as well as Ruth Negga’s nomination in the Academy Awards, Irish-funded The Lobster, starring Colin Farrell, secured Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, while Dubliner Consolta Boyle landed an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design. 

The Academy Awards take place on February 26th, 2017.

To read other stories about Ruth Negga go HERE.