JAMES MARTIN’s exceptional performance, alongside Cushendun native Seamus O’Hara, in the award winning film – An Irish Farewell – earned a special accolade from officials of the Cushendun Robert Emmet’s hurling club.

A regular attender, along with his father Ivan, at the Emmet’s Thursday evening Quiz night in Randal McDonnell’s Hostelry, beside the mouth of the River Dun, James took time out from his hectic schedule to meet his old friends.

To mark the occasion long-serving Emmet’s official, Mrs Pearl McQuillan and club president Denis O’Hara presented James with an Emmet’s black and green team jersey.

Fresh from the LA Oscars experience and then glad-handing USA President Joe Biden at the New Ulster University Campus in Belfast, the Bafta and Oscar award winner was at his ease in the more humble surrounds of the old Cushendun Hotel.

James, accompanied by his parents Ivan and   Suzanne, remarked: “It is great to again be among my favourite folk in Cushendun, and meeting yet another President, family friend Denis O’Hara.

“For many years, Pearl McQuillan has been running this charity Club Quiz. She always made me feel welcome – and very much at home.

“I’ve been at many of the weekly gatherings and other big Emmet’s club social occasions. This time it was special, just as important to me as winning the Oscar and the Bafta.

“I’m delighted to be honoured with an Emmet’s team jersey. I notice the number on the back of the jersey is 23, so it looks like I’ll have to bide my time on the substitute’s bench!.”