IFTA Golden Statuettes Presented To Cream Of Irish

The recent 4th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards took place recently at Dublin's RDS.
Honouring Irish and international talent in front of a 1,100 audience, host Ryan Tubridy guided proceedings as 'The Wind that Shakes the Barley', 'Breakfast on Pluto' and 'Stardust' took home the most IFTA golden statuettes.
In the strongly contested feature film categories Ken Loach’s Palme d'Or winning film The Wind That Shakes the Barley picked up the two top IFTAs. The Irish Civil war drama topped both the Academy and the AIB Public Vote winning Best Irish Film of the year. Director Neil Jordan also walked away with two statuettes for writing and directing on 'Breakfast on Pluto', while Pluto actor Cillian Murphy received the Best Irish Actor Award for his work on the film.
Most prominent winner in the TV categories was RTE’s acclaimed TV Drama Stardust which scooped four Awards on the night including the Best TV Drama nod and accolades for Best Actress Ger Ryan and Best Supporting Actress Ruth Bradley.
Irish costume designer Consolata Boyle was honoured on her home turf for her work on Stephen Frears' 'The Queen', a convincing start to her Awards season before she heads for the Baftas and Oscars later this month. The film's star Helen Mirren was also named Pantene Best International Actress, Helen sent a message of thanks to the Academy and paid tribute to Consolata in her acceptance speech.
Other acting winners included Fionnula Flangan, Best Supporting Actress for Transamerica, Eva Birthistle (pictured) Best Actress for Middletown, Ciaran Hinds, Best Actor Television and The Clinic star Gary Lydon made it two-for-two picking up the Best Supporting Actor Television award for the second year in a row.
The race for TV Personality of the Year was won by sporting legend Bill O'Herlihy, while emerging talent Niall Heery received the IFB & NIFTC Breakthrough Talent Award for writing/directing his debut feature 'Small Engine Repair'. 'Little Miss Sunshine' scooped the Best International Film Award.
Other highlights included a Lifetime Tribute to seminal broadcaster Gay Byrne, and an honour for Industry Contribution to casting director Nuala Moiselle.
Aine Moriarty, CEO of the Irish Film and Television Academy commented: "The list of winners and nominees at these Awards shows the exceptional talent and creativity that our industry has to offer and re-affirms IFTAs commitment to celebrating their work. The Award's supporters and all the Academy members join me in congratulating the winners for their fine achievements this year. Enjoy the night!"
US actress Lara Flynn Boyle took to the red carpet along with a host of Irish and international style leaders. Irish actress Orla Fitzgerald looked stunning as well as Orla Brady, Gráinne Seoige, young Irish starlet Sarah Bolger and mother of 8, TV presenter Miriam O'Callaghan, who took home the RTE Guide Red Carpet Style Award. Guest presenters on the night included British actor Brian Cox, Irish director Jim Sheridan and Irish actors Gabriel Byrne and Stephen Rea.
(SP)