Oscar-nominee Martin McDonagh sent a note of thanks to RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta this past weekend, and in Gaeilge nonetheless. In it, he acknowledged the community effort in Connemara where three billboards were erected outside Leitir Mealláin, his father’s homeplace. They refer to and celebrate the success of his film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which took home two awards last night at the Academy Awards.

The message was sent to RnaG presenter Máirtín Tom Sheáinín to be read out on his request programme Togha agus Rogha on Sunday. McDonagh thanked all those involved in putting up the billboards, from the farmer who sacrificed his bit of land in the name of art, to the local school and Heritage Centre.

Here’s the original note, if you’ve still got your cúpla focail:
Tá mé ag iarraidh mo mhíle buíochas a rá le gach duine a ghlac páirt leis na billboards a chur suas i Leitir Mealláin. Buíochas ó chroí don fheirmeoir a thug an talamh, don scoil, don Ionad Oidhreachta, do Chomhairle Chuigéil agus go mór mhór na leaids a rinne an obair chrua na billboards a chur suas. Tá na pictiúirí feicthe agam agus breathnaíonn siad iontach. Tá súil agam iad a fheiceáil dom féin amach anseo. Fair play díobh ar fad. Martin.