FASHION items worn by a star and director of An Irish Goodbye at the Oscars ceremony are being offered as prizes in a raffle to raise funds for the Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland.
Two pocket squares worn by Ballymena star Seamus O’Hara - who played Turlough in an Irish Goodbye alongside Belfast actor James Martin - and the film's co-director Ross White at the 2023 Academy Awards in Los Angeles in March are being offered as prizes in the upcoming charity raffle.
The pair wore the squares on the Oscars red carpet before they took to the stage alongside James and co-director Tom Berkeley to accept the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.
Also being offered as a prize in the raffle is a Crepe de Chine cape worn by Seamus' wife, casting director Mary-Ellen O'Hara at the glittering Oscars after-party hosted by Vanity Fair.
The three items were created by celebrated north coast designer Sara O’Neill as part of her Éadach range based on Irish mythology.
The raffle is hosted by non-profit creatives collective She Sells Sanctuary, which raises money for domestic violence charities across the north.
Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Women’s Aid Federation NI, which is facing funding cuts it has warned will be a "massive blow" to their work in Northern Ireland.
It is losing annual support of £147,000 from the Department of Health's Core Grant Funding Scheme.
The scheme, which offered financial support to community and voluntary groups, is being cut in a bid to plug a £732 million funding gap following the recent budget by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
“The cape Mary Ellen wore is just a remarkable piece of artwork, and inspired by Irish mythology, the Children of Lir," Seamus O'Hara said.
"It really did threaten to be the star of the show at the Oscars, and I know just how proud Mary Ellen was to be able to wear it at such an incredible event.
Sara O’Neill said she was "humbled" at being able to raffle the pieces in aid of the Women’s Aid Federation.
“I received so many good vibes and such incredible press coverage off the back of the Oscars, I knew we needed to keep those good vibes going and give back, so I contacted my friend Gemma McMahon at She Sells Sanctuary and here we are.
“The cape is currently the only one in existence as it is part of a collection launching in July in Dublin. Already it has billowed down the catwalk at the RDS in Dublin, swirled around the dancefloor of the Vanity Fair party and starred at the Oscars.
She added: “I’m determined to raise funds for Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland, who like so many organisations are affected by cuts.
“I talk a lot about Northern Ireland and the issues people are facing, but I also want to do something about it in my own small way. For me, it’s important to give back to the place and people that inspire you.”
Look at these beauts at the Vanity Fair Oscars party! From the time I started buying fashion magazines in the 90s yeah I was interested in the Oscars red carpet but the Vanity Fair party pics were much more interesting to me. That’s where all the secrets & the stories were… 1/ pic.twitter.com/BkGrOLKcBu
— Sara O'Neill Artist (@SaraONeillArt) March 15, 2023
The raffle is live on the She Sells Sanctuary Instagram page until July 26.
Women’s Aid Federation NI chief executive Sarah Mason said of their work: “The situation in Northern Ireland is so serious the PSNI receives a call relating to a domestic abuse incident every 16 minutes while one woman in an abusive relationship is murdered on average every other month here.
“Everyone at Women’s Aid has been moved by the generosity of Sara O’Neill and the team from An Irish Goodbye. The raffle provides a wonderful opportunity to own iconic pieces of Irish Oscar’s history while supporting the very important work we do on a daily basis.”
Read more: Women's Aid Federation NI takes to Westminster to fight 'perilous' impending funding cuts