And the IFTA goes to...

 The 8th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards are a bash worth waiting for. I got all the juicy gossip from our homegrown talent and their Hollywood counterparts. caught up with Pierce Brosnan, Saoirse Ronan, Kim Cattrall, Laura Whitmore, Charlene Mc Kenna and many, many more. The IFTA’s ceremony was a star- studded event and many walked away from the Dublin Convention Centre with statues. It was a learning experience, as I camped on the red carpet it was very interesting to speak to some of the biggest stars in Irish showbiz.

The young Saoirse Ronan picked up the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her
performance in Peter Weir’s ‘The Way Back’. On speaking to Saoirse Ronan about her intensive martial arts training, she said how tough her strict training regime was -but in a good way : “ the training from ‘Hanna’ will stand to me. It was really tough. For my new film ‘Violet and Daisy’ it was mostly shooting a gun! It is very important to stay grounded in the Film Industry and appreciate every opportunity that comes to you.’’

Pierce Brosnan and Amy Huberman were also among the winners at the IFTA’s. The lovable Frank Kelly who plays the infamous ‘Father Jack’ in Irish comedy ‘Father Ted was notably in attendance with his wife by his side. I guess it is no surprise that the RTÉ Guide Best TV Moment award went to the Rubberbandits, 'Horse Outside'. Over Christmas you could not grace the inside of an establishment without that tune blaring through the airwaves.Colin Farrell collected the Best Actor award for his performance in Neil Jordan's 'Ondine'. 'The Clinic' claimed the award for Best Drama Series/Soap, with 'Five Minutes of Heaven' picking up the award for Best Single Drama. Aidan Quinn was presented with the award for Best Supporting Actor for 'The Eclipse'. Newcomer the stunning Dervla Kirwan snatched up the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 'Ondine'.The enigmatic actor Stephen Rea was named Best Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Father & Son' and Sarah Bolger claimed the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for 'The Tudors'.

Producer Morgan O'Sullivan received the outstanding contribution to the Industry award. and rightly so! Credit where it is seriously due, seeing as he produced the likes of ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Angelas Ashes’ the man should get two of those statues!'Rewind' actress Amy Huberman received the Lead Actress award. She looked stunning in a peach floor- length gown that complemented her glowing complexion. Most definitely a star on the rise.

 Martin McCann was named ‘Lead Actor’ for his performance in 'Swansong - Story of Occi Byrne'.
Brendan Gleeson and his sons Domhnall and Brian were together nominated for numerous IFTA awards, so obviously serious talent runs in the family! There were many TV stars parading the red carpet in style, such as ruthless business man Bill Cullen and his wife Jackie. The advice Bill Cullen gave was : ''To do well in your field - you have to be original, committed, inventive and ultimately work hard - because it is a tough world out there.'' I don’t know about anyone else - but that most certainly is great advice I will try and follow.

Raw actress Charlene Mc Kenna won an IFTA for Best Actress in 2009 and was nominated for the same category this year. The stunning starlet was wearing a slinky high necked black number. The dresses at the ceremony were very interesting .. Anna Daly looked stunning, gorgeous dress, always elegantly dressed, she never gets it wrong, Elaine Crowley looked fabulous.
Charlene Mckenna is the stand out star of all these women, she has the most pretty face I have seen in a long time. Like an Irish Audrey Hepburn, she epitomises pure class. She expressed her excitement to be at the IFTA’s and how it was strange to be nominated this year in the same category as her co-stars on ‘Raw’: “I am very excited about tonights events. The venue is so modern and beautiful. My shoes will definitely be kicked off at the after party! Myself and Ruth and Amy are all nominated in the same category but they are great friends of mine. We are all texting and joking and having serious banter about who could scoop the award. But I have to say, they are both so talented and the media are making out that we are very competitive with each other but that is not the case.” MTV presenter Laura Whitmore flew over from her post in London for the ceremony and gushed that “the Irish media are some of the most welcoming in the world. It is such an honour to be at such an amazing ceremony. I hadn’t realised how much I missed it.”

When I questioned Kim Cattrall about her Valentines Day plans she disclosed her Valentine's plans: “I’m spending Valentine’s with my cat!”
Also the ‘Sex and the City’ beauty dished out about her relationship with her ‘Sex and The City’ co-stars in saying: “We don’t see each other that much but we send eachother texts like How are you? I’m moving! I’m having a baby! Happy Thanksgiving... that sort
of thing.”

Daithí O Sé was on a serious love buzz at the IFTA’s projecting the air of a man seriously in love with his girlfriend from America - a former Rose of Tralee. It made him all the more charming. He exclaimed : “Anyone who knows me knows I have met that very special lady. I have loads of special plans for Valentines Day. But I can’t tell you them! I think romance is a very important. It’s a big part of my life, If you love someone you cannot be afraid to tell them. Romance is a very positive thing.”
Any red-blooded female will admit that loved- up Daithí is very endearing and proves that love is really out there. All in all, it was a night of epic proportions. The Dublin Convention Centre was a phenomenal venue for such a special event. And I must say, all I am left wondering is how in God’s name Kim Cattrall is spending Valentine’s Day alone with her cat! Well, after all this excitement I think I shall hibernate until next year!

xo L