Filmmaker Martin McDonagh saluted with three billboards outside Leitir Meallain, Connemara

Locals in filmmaker Martin Mcdonagh’s family island are celebrating his movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’s big win at the BAFTA Awards by erecting their own giant posters.
Irish film fans have put up three billboards outside Leitir Meallain in Connemara to mark the local hero’s five BAFTAs on Sunday (18Feb18).
McDonagh, whose father was born and raised in the village, picked up honours for Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Best Original Screenplay, while the film stars Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell claimed the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor trophies.
The locals in the Gaeltacht-speaking village are now hoping McDonagh’s film wins gold at the Oscars on 4 March (18) – and he returns to his father’s birthplace to show townsfolk his awards.
The three billboards outside Leitir Meallain, Connemara sit on a hill on the outskirts of town. They read “Comhghairdeas Martin McDonagh” (Congratulations Martin McDonagh), “Realt Mor Leitir Meallain” (Big Star of Leitir Meallain), and “Realt Mor Hollywood” (Big Star of Hollywood).
Martin has fond memories of the island village, also known as Lettermullan, as he spent many happy summers there as a child, with his parents and older brother. He still returns to Connemara for Christmas.
The director’s film is up for seven Oscars and remains the favourite to pick up Best Picture, Best Actress (McDormand), and Best Supporting Actor (Rockwell).
The movie has also inspired campaigners in London to use billboards to highlight injustice and a lack of action following the Grenfell Tower disaster, which cost 71 people their lives last summer (17).