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In a striking reversal from Ireland’s remarkable success at last year’s Academy Awards, the 97th Oscar ceremony will feature just one familiar Irish face: Cillian Murphy, who will return not as a nominee but as a presenter. The Cork native, fresh from his triumphant Best Actor win for his mesmerizing portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER, will join fellow 2024 Oscar winners on stage to pass the torch to this year’s recipients.

The cinematic landscape has shifted dramatically for Irish talent in 2025, with no nominations despite several promising contenders. Perhaps most notably, Irish rap sensation Kneecap saw their hopes dashed after being longlisted in the Best International Film category. However, Ireland’s presence in Hollywood continues through Tailored Films, whose production THE APPRENTICE has secured two significant nominations: Sebastian Stan for Leading Actor and Jeremy Strong for Supporting Actor in their Donald Trump biopic.

Murphy’s presenting duties will place him alongside an illustrious group of fellow 2024 winners, including Emma Stone (a two-time Oscar winner who previously claimed victory for LA LA LAND), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (who captured hearts in THE HOLDOVERS), and Robert Downey Jr. (celebrated for his turn as Lewis Strauss in OPPENHEIMER). While their specific presenting duties remain under wraps, their presence promises to add star power to the ceremony, which will be hosted by Conan O’Brien at the iconic Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025.

This year’s Best Actor race presents an intriguing lineup, featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, Adrien Brody in THE BRUTALIST, Colman Domingo in SINGSING, Ralph Fiennes in CONCLAVE, and Sebastian Stan in THE APPRENTICE. Though Murphy won’t be competing for another statue this year, his artistic momentum hasn’t slowed. His latest film, SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE, released in 2024, showcases his continuing commitment to powerful storytelling. Set in 1985, the film adapts Claire Keegan’s novel, with Murphy portraying Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who uncovers disturbing truths about Ireland’s Magdalene Institutions in the town of New Ross.

The absence of Irish nominees this year stands in stark contrast to the recent golden era of Irish cinema, which saw remarkable success with films like OPPENHEIMER and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. Yet, as Murphy’s continued presence at the ceremony suggests, Irish influence in global cinema remains resilient, even if this year’s nominations don’t reflect the wealth of talent emerging from the Emerald Isle.