Irish actress Saoirse Ronan has been tipped for her second Oscar nomination by the US's fiercest film critics.

The 15-year-old Co Carlow girl, who stars in The Lovely Bones, has impressed Hollywood with her performance.

The LA Times reported that Saoirse was “simply captivating” in the film and she totally eclipsed her co-stars Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weisz.

The Times said Ronan “is in virtually every scene of The Lovely Bones. We hear that Ronan steals the picture from everyone”.

“This 15-year-old actress is quickly climbing the Hollywood ladder” the Times blog said.

Some praise indeed for the actress who walked the Oscars red carpet a couple of years back as Best Supporting Actress nominee for Atonement when she lost to Tilda Swinton.

A native of New York, who moved back to Co Carlow with her Irish parents Paul, an actor, and Monica when she was three, Saoirse is taking all the pre-premiere hype in her stride like a seasoned pro.

She recently revealed that she felt pressure after she was tipped for Oscar glory.

“Well, I must admit, I do feel a little bit of pressure,” she said.

“Until a few days ago no-one had even seen the movie, apart from a handful of people involved in it.

“I haven't even seen it.

“Now there are all these Oscar polls saying the film is going to win and I'm going to win.

“I suppose I should take it as a compliment though.”

Saoirse and the rest of the cast spent a large chunk of time in New Zealand making the film under the guidance of multiple Oscar winner Peter Jackson.