Ralph Fiennes: 'I'm always happy to come to Dublin'

February 21, 2025
Ralph Fiennes: 'I'm always happy to come to Dublin'

Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes has said he is "always happy to come to Dublin" and praised Ireland for producing stellar screen talent.

"It's hard to make films nowadays," he said. "So, support or exposure like this is to be welcomed for the industry."

When asked about his connection to Ireland and why he wanted to attend the Dublin festival, the 62-year-old actor explained how his relationship with Ireland goes back to his youth.

"Well, I have a connection with Ireland because I was here in my early teens – West Cork and Kilkenny," he recalled.

"I was back here and worked in the Gate Theatre in the wonderful Brian Friel play, Faith Healer. I have a bit of history going back to when I was young. I always feel very happy to be back in Dublin," Fiennes added.

Actor Ralph Fiennes chatting to RTÉ’s Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke at the premiere of his new movie The Return at the opening night of DIFF

Fiennes lauded Ireland's screen talent and said the country has always produced "amazing actors, directors and writers".

He explained how he had seen An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), directed by Colm Bairéad, and that it had "blown me away".

He continued: "It's absolutely extraordinary - you've never had a shortage of talent in this country. Never!"

All eyes will be on Fiennes at this year's Academy Awards as he has been nominated in the Best Actor Oscar category for his role in pope drama Conclave.

Ralph Fiennes is nominated for Best Actor at this year's Academy Awards

Fiennes was last nominated for an Academy Award in 1997 for his leading role as a Hungarian pilot and desert explorer in The English Patient, which came after his first nod in 1994 for the war drama Schindler's List, in which he played an Austrian Nazi official.

This year he faces tough competition in the form of Adrien Brody for the immigrant tale The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet for the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, about prisoners becoming part of a theatre group, at the ceremony in March.

Sebastian Stan is also up for Best Actor for playing Donald Trump before he became the US president in The Apprentice.

The Oscars will take place on 2 March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with first-time host Conan O'Brien taking the helm this year.

For full details of DIFF 25 and how to secure tickets click here.

For more movie news, click here