| Gay picks up lifetime award
IRISH chat show legend Gay Byrne has won a lifetime achievement award
at the 4th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards.
Byrne, who hosted The Late Late Show for 37 years, was presented with
his award by Bob Geldof and Gabriel Byrne.
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.
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 Oscars later this month. 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 winners included Fionnula Flanagan, Best Supporting Actress for
Transamerica; Eva Birthistle Best Actress for Middletown; Ciaran Hinds,
Best Actor Television for Rome; and The Clinic star Gary Lydon picked
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.
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