For the first time ever an Irish language documentary has been long listed for an Oscar. Rocky Ros Muc is nominated under the category of Best Documentary Feature. It tells the story of Galway man Sean Mannion and his boxing career.
Mannion was from the Gaeltacht village of Ros Muc, Galway but moved to Boston in the 1970s to try kick start a boxing career.
While there he became ingrained in the strong Irish-American community in Boston, fought for a world title and developed connections to notorious criminal Whitey Bulger.
The film is one of 170 on the long list. The shortlist for next year's Academy awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
Mannion was a light middleweight who most notably fought Mike McCallum for the WBA Title at Madison Square Garden in 1984.
The documentary was directed by Michael Fanning and has already secured best Irish Feature Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh earlier this year.
Delighted to announce Rocky Ros Muc is officially an Oscar contender!An 1ú uair ariamh do scannán faisnéise Gaeilge🎉https://t.co/4fIBvc9qxI
— Rocky Ros Muc Film (@RockyRosMucFilm) October 30, 2017
