Tonight was the biggest night of the year for Irish actors, directors and filmmakers of all kinds — the Irish Film & Television Academy Awards.
Huge stars like Colm Meaney, Fionnuala Flanagan and Ruth Negga were out in style for a celebration of Irish contributions to film both domestically and abroad.
It was a night of big victories for A Date for Mad Mary on the film side of things and An Klondike on the television side of things.
It was also a big night for Mattress Mick. The documentary, Mattress Men, centred around his story won the Best Documentary accolade. You can hear Mattress Mick tell his astonishing story in his own words on JOE’S Capital B podcast here.
Here are the big winners from tonight’s ceremony:
Best Film — A Date for Mad Mary
The Award for Best Film at #IFTA17 goes to #ADateForMadMary starring @SeanaKerslake @CharleighBailey @TeeLeee #IrishFilm pic.twitter.com/M9mGcvd1xF
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Director — Richie Smyth (The Siege of Jadotville)
Best Director in Film goes to one of the Irish Academy's debut feature filmmakers this year, Richie Smyth of #TheSiegeOfJadotville #IFTA17 pic.twitter.com/obooPftVev
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Lead Actress — Ruth Negga (Loving)
The #IFTA17 Award for Best Lead Actress goes to incredibly talented #RuthNegga for her performance as Mildred Loving in @lovingthefilm pic.twitter.com/daoOprrNNa
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Lead Actor — Colm Meaney (The Journey)
Iconic Irish Actress Fionnula Flanagan takes the stage to present the Award for Actor in a Lead Role in Film #IFTA17 pic.twitter.com/libekgBsAj
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Drama — Vikings
Best Drama of #IFTA17 is @HistoryVikings! Congratulations all on this fantastic Co. Wicklow series starring a plenitude of #IrishTalent pic.twitter.com/mAlYgKcDiO
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Supporting Actor — Jason O’Mara (The Siege of Jadotville)
And the #IFTA17 Award goes to @jason_omara who starred alongside #JamieDornan in #TheSiegeOfJadotville! Congratulations Jason pic.twitter.com/xI7XxBtq4R
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Supporting Actress — Charleigh Bailey (A Date for Mad Mary)
Congratulations @CharleighBailey of #ADateforMadMary Winner of the IFTA for Best Supporting Actress in Film #IrishTalent #IrishFilm #IFTA1 pic.twitter.com/LAQUay8aQ5
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Documentary — Mattress Men
The George Morrison Award for Best Feature #Documentary goes to @MattressMenFilm! @colm_quinn @elzorrero @mattressmick #IFTA17 pic.twitter.com/HdeBTFnlZc
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Short Film — Heartbreak
Best Supporting Actor in Drama — Ned Dennehy (An Klondike)
Comhghairdeas @NedDennehy who plays Captain Pat Galvin @AnKlondike on your #IFTA17 Award for Best Supporting Actor Drama #AnKlondike pic.twitter.com/IqvxKu9e6E
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Supporting Actress in Drama — Charlie Murphy
Congratulations @CharlieBMurphy who has won the IFTA for Best Supporting Actress Drama for her role as Ann Gallagher in #HappyValley #IFTA17 pic.twitter.com/L8DP6iiB53
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
Best Director in Drama — Daithí Keane
A hugely deserved round of applause for the Best Director Drama Winner @daithikeane for his work on @AnKlondike, presented by @CoonanPeter pic.twitter.com/Xcnocbhylg
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) April 8, 2017
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