Eva honoured for 'Ae Fond Kiss'

Irish actress Eva Birthistle tonight picked up the first award at the Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin – but forgot the name of the film she had won it for. The young actress was nominated for her performances in both Ae Fond Kiss and Timbuktu.

“I’m a bit surprised and a bit embarrassed because I don’t know what film it’s for,” she said.

Gabriel Byrne, who presented her with the award, told her it was for Ae Fond Kiss.

She said she enjoyed working with English director Ken Loach on the film, even with his unorthodox methods of shooting scenes.

“He’s a wonderful director and I’m really, really grateful for what he did,” she said.

It was her first ever film award. Ms Birthistle said the last thing she had won was a plastic tricycle in a competition when she was 20.

More than 800 guests from the Irish film and television industry are attending the awards at the Burlington Hotel, including Pierce Brosnan, Andie McDowell and John Cleese.