Yesterday, U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. This is the body of artists and cinematic engineers who vote for Oscar winners and run the Academy Awards.

Other Irish talent recruited into the Academy includes costume designers Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhaigh and Catherine George, as well as production designer Anna Rackard.

Rackard and Ní Mhaoldomhaigh have worked on such films as We Have Always Lived in The Castle and Love and Friendship, and have worked with a host of the best actors the world has to offer, including Colin Farrell and Emma Thompson.