Red-carpet rivalry as stars turn on style for Irish Oscars

The competition was red-hot at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards as stars of the stage and screen strutted their finery on the carpet.

Before any awards changed hands the rivalry was fierce as nominees commandeered the red carpet at Dublin’s RDS centre.

One familiar face was missing after former 007 James Bond star Pierce Brosnan could not make his flight because of a family member falling ill.

Guests turning out for the glitzy event included Men In Black star Lara Flynn Boyle, actors Gabriel Byrne, Liam Cunningham, Padraic Delaney, and Stephen Rea, as well as directors Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan and Ken Loach.

Singer Sinead O’Connor, former Miss World Rosanna Davidson, author Cecelia Ahern, pop singer Samantha Mumba, RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan, Grainne Seoige, Kathryn Thomas and Caroline Morahan, breakthrough nominee Lucy Kennedy and Channel 6’s Taragh Loughrey-Grant also turned out.

Up to 150 men and women involved in industry protested outside the awards at the lack of jobs in film at the moment.

One man, who worked as a freelance stagehand, said the Irish Government was investing millions in the industry, but the results were not being seen on the screen or in jobs.

“This ceremony is like rubbing salt into the wounds,” he said.

Grainne Seoige, who has failed on several occasions to nab the Personality of the Year Award, stood out on the carpet in a pink Roberto Cavalli dress with gold Jimmy Choo shoes.

RTE travel presenter Kathryn Thomas turned to Irish designer Synan O’Mahony to dress her for the night, while Caroline Morahan donned a stunning floor-length green dress from the boutique Lara.

Irish movie fans wowed by Oscar-nominated Helen Mirren’s performance in The Queen awarded her this year’s Pantene Best International Actress Award.

The actress’s strong resemblance to the British monarch was down to Irish costume designer Consolata Boyle, who created her clothing for her role as Queen Elizabeth II.

Bob Geldof was among the guests paying tribute to veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne, whose career has spanned 50 years, as he received his IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Actor Gabriel Byrne, who presented the Late Late Show host with the award, said: “I think he is a legend. He has made Ireland aware of who we are and what we were.”

Casting director Nuala Moiselle, who has been involved in nearly every major Irish film or television programme over the past 25 years, was given the Industry Contribution Award.

Other actresses at the ceremony included nominee Fionnula Flanagan from Transamerica, Eva Birthistle from Middletown and The Wind That Shakes the Barley star Orla Fitzgerald, who was wearing a short silver dress from designer Helen Cody.

Irish actress Birthistle, who was contesting the Best Actress in a Lead role, said: “The dress is Moschino, you can’t grumble because there are lots of people giving us lovely stuff. It is lovely to be recognised.”

James Nesbitt, who is currently shooting television drama Murphy’s Law around Dublin, handed over his role as host to Ryan Tubridy.

Ken Loach, whose Palm d’Or-winning film The Wind That Shakes the Barley was nominated in seven categories, said: “We are really pleased to come back and see all our friends again. It has done very well in Europe.”

Director Neil Jordan, whose film Breakfast on Pluto led the pack with 10 nominations, revealed he had just finished filming a movie in New York with Jodie Foster.