Ruth Negga sadly missed out on the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Loving last Sunday night (Emma Stone walked away with the prize for her role in La La Land) but we’re all still very proud of her here on the Emerald Isle and know she’s got more big things ahead of her.
Whether she won the prize or not, she did totally rule the Oscar red carpet, wearing a striking red Valentino gown that was pinned with a blue ribbon in support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU):
She attended the awards at the Dolby Theatre with her mother, Nora; partner and actor Dominic Cooper; and her Limerick cousin Dave Malone.
While she narrowly missed out on the Oscar, Negga has won multiple international awards for Loving, and one of the ways in which her talent is being celebrated here in Ireland is through a mayoral reception that is being organised in her honour in her home city. The Mayor of Limerick has issued an open invitation to the Irish-Ethiopian actress.
Negga grew up in Limerick and was educated at Scoil An Spioraid Naoimh, Roxborough, Ballysheedy, and Scoil Carmel Secondary School.
Limerick’s Mayor, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon whose tenure in office ends in June, said: “I would hope that, during my mayoralty, that she would be back in Limerick at some stage, and I would be very happy to have a mayoral reception for her. I congratulate her and all her family in Limerick.
“We’re very proud that she’s from Limerick and I think getting a nomination for the Oscars was certainly a huge achievement in itself. It focuses and shines a (positive) light on Limerick.”
Mayor O’Hanlon added that he “wouldn’t have a clue” when the mayoral reception might take place: “It’s an open invitation, and (only) if she’s back in Limerick. I don’t think she’d come back specifically for a mayoral reception (just) because I’m giving her one, but, if she’s back in Limerick I’d like her family to contact her and see if she would (agree to it).” Here’s hoping.
