STAR of Oscar-winning short An Irish Goodbye, James Martin, returned to Belfast amid continuing celebrations following this week's Academy Award success.

The 31-year-old actor arrived at a reception in Belfast's Grand Central Hotel along with the film's co-director, east Belfast's Ross White, where they were greeted by Belfast lord Mayor Tina Black, and his proud dad, broadcaster Ivan Martin.

James had touched down in Dublin earlier on Thursday after returning from an unforgettable excursion to Los Angeles for Sunday's Oscar ceremony, during which he was serenaded with 'Happy Birthday' by A-list Hollywood stars as he joined An Irish Goodbye co-stars, Ross, and the film's other director Tom Berkeley on stage to accept the Best Short statuette.

The film, in which James stars alongside Ballymena actor Seamus O'Hara as two estranged brothers coming together after their mother's death, was shot on location across the north, and is set in rural Co Tyrone.

At Dublin Airport, James and Ross were greeted with a round of applause as they stepped into arrivals with the film's producer Pearce Cullen.

James spoke with reporters of his time at the glitzy Oscars afterparties, including a bash thrown by Elton John, and another by Vanity Fair magazine, where they rubbed shoulders with the stars.

Speaking of Elton John, James, who also works as a Starbucks barista in Belfast, said: "He knows how to party."

Ross revealed that James had also hit the dancefloor with outgoing host of The Late Late Show in the US, James Corden.

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