Oscar nod for 'The Quiet Girl' puts 'endangered' Irish language centre stage

This publicity image shows actors Catherine Clinch, left, and Carrie Crowley in a scene from 'The Quiet Girl.' Photo: AP

Thousands of miles from the glitz of last Sunday's Oscars, the first Irish language film to earn a nomination is sparking renewed interest in a native tongue spoken by so few it is considered endangered by the United Nations cultural agency.

Competing for best international feature, An Cailin Ciuin (The Quiet Girl) last year became the first Irish language film to gross more than 1 million euros (RM5.1mil) at the British and Irish box office. It has remained a fixture in cinemas across English-speaking Ireland.