Irish paint LA green with Oscars party
GLITZ: Pre-Academy Awards bash attracts the best and brightest stars
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The Irish took over Tinseltown last night in a glittering pre-Oscar party.
Actress Sarah Bolger, casting directors Ros and John Hubbard and actor Paul Rudd were all honoured at the event.
Irish stars Victoria Smurfit, Elaine Cassidy and Maria Doyle Kennedy added a touch of glamour to the event held at the Ebell Club in LA.
The Oscar Wilde honoring of the Irish in Film pre-Academy shindig was also attended by model Faye Dinsmore and pop starlet Samantha Mumba.
Actors who turned up to the toast the best of Irish in Hollywood included Julia Roberts, Peter Gallagher and John Hamm.
Tudors star Sarah Bolger (19) picked up the "Wilde Card" accolade at the awards.
The award was inaugurated last year to honour rising talent in the film industry, with Carlow-born actress Saoirse Ronan picking up the honour.
The invite-only party takes place annually just three days ahead of this year's Oscar ceremony.
Paul Rudd -- who has no Irish heritage -- was honoured as an "Honorary Irishman".
Presenting the award, Julia Roberts said: "Maybe I can become Irish -- my middle name is Fiona, which is a step closer to being Irish than Paul Rudd was five minutes ago."
As a child, Rudd (pictured left with wife Julie Yaeger) had a fondness for Irish music and found himself drawn to the work of Irish authors.
His father Michael Rudd was a Titanic enthusiast, and would lead groups through the country for the Titanic Historical Society.
When Michael passed away, his ashes were spread in Ireland.
hnews@herald.ie
