Iftas: Christy and Cork actors shine and another big night for Jessie Buckley

Cork and Kerry winners on top table at Iftas as the makers of 'Christy' and 'Saipan' celebrate with 'Hamnet' star Jessie Buckley

Fri, 20 Feb, 2026 - 23:18

Cara O'Doherty

The red carpet was appropriately the colours of the Rebel County as a Cork film won best film and best director at the Irish Film & Television Awards tonight.

Leading figures from across film and television gathered to celebrate the finest in Irish storytelling.

Filmed primarily in Knocknaheeny in Cork City, Christy won the coveted Best Film award.

'Christy' won the coveted Best Film accolade at the 2026 Ifta awards. File picture

Several of its stars walked the red carpet, including the film’s lead, Danny Power, and co-stars Jamie Forde and Diarmuid Noyes, along with the film’s director, Brendan Canty, who took home the Best Director award.

Jamie Forde and Danny Power, past pupils of the North Monastery Secondary School and stars of 'Christy', with students Jordan Ricken, Scott Crowley, Calvin Curtain, and Josh Sexton at a screening of 'Christy' at The Arc Cinema, North Main St, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Power said the film, which focuses on a young man as he ages out of the foster system, is resonating with young people who have been in that situation.

“People who have been in foster care have reacted so well to it, and that’s the most important thing, getting their story out there.”

Alison Oliver, who won the Ifta Best Actress award on Friday for her role in 'Task', attended the British premiere of 'Wuthering Heights' accompanied by Pomeranian pup Bubbles. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Alison Oliver, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role in Task and is currently wowing audiences in Wuthering Heights, told the Irish Examiner that she was thrilled to share the premiere with her family.

“My family came to the [ Wuthering Heights] premiere in London, which was so much fun. I was so glad that I got to have them there because it felt like a very special moment.”

The Ballintemple star says it is important to use her platform to support Palestine.

“Ireland, in particular, has such a long history with Palestine. If you have a voice, I say use it. We have to keep calling for a ceasefire and keep calling for a free Palestine.”

Speaking about the strong Cork presence at the awards, she says that there has always been strong support for the arts in the county.

There are so many stage schools in Cork, and so many places for young people to do speech and drama and dancing, that's how I got into it. The support in Cork for anything creative is fantastic.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers arriving for the 2026 Ifta Awards at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Another Cork actor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, best known for The Tudors, had his take on why the Rebel County is dominating Irish film.

“There were always talented people [here], especially in Cork. Globalisation made everything more accessible. Ireland wasn't out there on the fringes of Europe anymore. All you had to do was go online and see the talent here.”

The actor, who now lives in Wexford, says he gets home to Cork as much as possible.

“I am just back from visiting my father in Macroom. I have a small farm in Wexford, and I try to get home to Cork as much as possible.”

Jessie Buckley with her Ifta award for Lead Actress for her performance in Hamnet. Picture: Andres Poveda

Among the evening’s winners was Jessie Buckley, who claimed the Best Actress award for her performance in Hamnet ahead of next month’s Oscars.

She said she felt emotional to be honoured at home.

“It’s emotional for me to be home and to be recognised for telling the story of a mother in Ireland because I love mothers and I'm so proud to be here to be recognised for this incredible mother”.

The Kerry star thanked her parents for encouraging imagination and her wildness.

Hamnet also won Best International Film, Best Script, and Best Supporting Actor for Paul Mescal.

Chris Walley and Alex Murphy, both nominated for playing the lovable rogues in The Young Offenders, reflected on the success of the show and joked that a Cork actor might have made a deal with Roy Keane to take over Ireland’s film industry.

Walley, who picked up the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, thanked his co-star Murphy, saying The Young Offenders gave him “his best friend and best scene partner".

Best Actor went to Eanna Hardwicke for his portrayal of Roy Keane in Saipan. Steve Coogan, who starred as Mick McCarthy opposite Hardwicke, collected the award on his behalf.

Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy and Éanna Hardwicke as Roy Keane in a still from Saipan. Steve Coogan collected Éanna's Ifta Best Actor award on his behalf. Picture: Aidan Monaghan

Kerry Condon won Actress in a Supporting Role for her role opposite Brad Pitt in F1.

The cast and crew of 'The Walsh Sisters' at the IFTA Awards 2026 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Louisa Harland, star of The Walsh Sisters and Derry Girls, was announced as the 2025 Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland IFTA Rising Star.

Lifetime achievement award

Also in attendance were giants of the Irish film industry, Neil Jordan, Stephen Rea, and Jim Sheridan, alongside Ciarán Hinds, who was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award.