Latest Stories- Oscars excitement and hopes of a tourism boom on the Irish island of ‘Inisherin’ | Ents & Arts News

With Oscars glory and a possible economic boom at stake, a sense of anticipation has gripped the island off the west coast of Ireland where one of the Academy Awards heavyweight

contenders was largely filmed.The Banshees of Inisherin, which boasts no fewer than nine nominations, including best picture and best actor, may be set on the fictional island of

Inisherin, but was actually filmed on Achill island and the island of Inis Mor in 2021. The head of Achill Tourism has told Sky News of a huge surge in phone calls and enquiries

from around the world, as fans of the movie make plans to visit the nine film locations on Achill."It has emotionally touched people in that they've seen it on the big screen, and

they might've been thinking of coming to Ireland, and this has just fired up the emotion," said Chris McCarthy. "They're making the calls, they're making the bookings and we're

delighted with the success of it."Isn't Sky News here, what more can we want? We've been on all kinds of media now, we're getting worldwide traction. There are a lot of tourism

companies in the world that would be looking for this kind of publicity." The publicity looks certain to boost visitor numbers to what is Ireland's largest island, connected by a

bridge to the Co Mayo mainland. Achill's 57 square miles include stunning cliffs, green mountains and pristine beaches. Image: The spot on Achill island where the movie's pub was

constructed from scratch and later taken down Image: The house on Keem Beach used as Colm's house, the character played by Brendan Gleeson "Most of our phone calls to the office

now start with the Banshees, or ends with the Banshees. Some of the callers have asked our staff if the scenery is photoshopped, and we have to persuade them no, it's real, and

it's here. "Of course we're hoping for an [tourist] influx, but there are challenges - we have our environment to protect. This is our home, this is where we live. The beauty that

[the film's director] Martin McDonagh saw here, we need to pass it on, to sustain that beauty so it can keep giving." Image: Chris McCarthy says the island is "getting worldwide

traction" The critical acclaim that greeted The Banshees of Inisherin helped create a sense of pride and excitement on Achill and Inis Mor, but also took many by surprise -

possibly even the cast themselves. Colin Farrell, who secured his first Oscar nomination for best actor for his performance in Banshees, told Sky News he was "shocked" at the

success."To do the film, to be off the west coast of Ireland with the cast that we had, the crew that we had, reuniting with this fella [Brendan Gleeson], reuniting with Martin, I