The Irish Golden Globes 2018 nominations see Ireland's biggest and brightest recognized ahead of the Oscars.

Saoirse Ronan, Martin McDonagh, Caitriona Balfe, “The Breadwinner” and Daniel Day-Lewis have all been named as the Irish contenders at the 2018 Golden Globes. The awards ceremony’s nominations were announced on Monday morning, revealing a great chance that Ireland could bring home Best Actress or even Best Picture.

Ronan, 23, had already been hyped for a Best Actress Academy Award nomination, at the very least, for her turn as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, today’s Golden Globe nomination all but confirming that the young Carlow actress is set to pick up her third Oscar nomination for “Lady Bird."

Read more: Aer Lingus strike back smartly after Saoirse Ronan’s SNL skit goes viral

British-Irish director Martin McDonagh has also picked up a Best Director nomination for his latest film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” which was awarded seven nominations in total.

Among the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama nominations, Dublin actress Caitriona Balfe was recognized for "Outlander," while dual Irish-British citizen Daniel Day-Lewis picked a Best Actor - Drama nomination for “Phantom Thread,” the very last role in which we will see the three-time Oscar winner following his retirement from acting.

Read more: Post-Emmy Awards the Oscars race begins - Who are the Irish in the running?

Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, based in Co. Kilkenny, are no stranger to Oscar nominations having previously secured best feature animation nods for “Song of the Sea” and “The Secret of Kells”. This year, their Irish-Canadian co-production of “The Breadwinner”, produced by none other than Angelina Jolie, could be Ireland’s greatest hope of bringing hope an Academy Award and its off to a great start with a Golden Globe nomination today for Best Motion Picture (Animated).  It will be competing against against Pixar's “Coco,” “Ferdinand,” “The Boss Baby,” and “Loving Vincent.”

Who would you like to see win among the best acting, Best Picture and Best Director categories at the Golden Globes? Have the Irish done enough to secure a win?