Stars line up for Irish Film Awards

Graphic film drama Omagh and sentimental comedy Inside I’m Dancing top a bill of international cinema successes aiming for glory at Ireland’s premier awards show next weekend.

The Irish Film and Television Awards will bring together some of the top names from the big and small screen to battle for prizes in 26 categories at the ceremony in Dublin.

Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Gerard McSorley, Eva Birthistle and Niamh Cusack have all promised to tread the red carpet awaiting honours from their peers.

Omagh, the harrowing tale of the 1998 terrorist atrocity, which stunned many with its fast pace and gritty style and Inside I’m Dancing, a sentimental story of two disabled men laden with unstoppable one-liners, are awards favourites.

While Hollywood playboy Colin Farrell lines up against Stephen Rea and McSorley for Best Actor, Birthistle has a double nomination in a tightly-fought race for Best Actress.

Coleraine man James Nesbitt takes the helm again for this year’s event with more than half a million viewers expected to tune in.

And with 30% more entries than ever before this year’s awards are more competitive than ever helping to push up the profile of the industry both home and abroad.

There are over 26 jury categories this year with the Lifetime Achievement Award and five People’s Choice Awards voted for by the public over the last two months.

Screen icon Maureen O’Hara will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was Ireland’s first movie star and lit up the big screen for decades with roles in 1938’s How Green Was My Valley, The Quiet Man in 1952 alongside John Wayne and Only The Lonely in 2000.

“There are no words to express how thrilled I am to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award,” Ms O’Hara said after hearing of the tribute.

“I’m particularly pleased because it’s from Ireland, the country of my birth. I will treasure it always.”

Ex-James Bond star Brosnan receives the award for Outstanding Irish Contribution to Cinema.

The awards committee includes some of the best the industry has to offer with Farrell, and Oscar-nominated writer/producer/director Jim Sheridan on the panel.

The international jury is made up of some of the most respected names in the industry from around the world, including Oscar award-winners, renowned producers, directors and writers.

The awards take place at The Burlington Hotel on Saturday October 30, and will be broadcast on RTE One on Monday November 1.