And the award goes to ... the boys in black

STRAPPY gowns and forceful frowns were the special ingredients that went into making it the biggest night of the year on the Irish social calendar.

While busty beauties in figure-hugging designer dresses may have dominated the red carpet at the RDS on Saturday night, it was the boys in black-tie who claimed ownership of this year’s Irish Film and Television awards (IFTA) with the most important accolades going to male TV presenters and actors.

Although viewing figures may be considerably higher for the respective RTÉ chat shows of Pat Kenny and Ryan Tubridy, neither of whom were nominated or attended, the crown of TV Personality of the Year was firmly placed on TV3’s Ireland AM host Mark Cagney.