It’s no Oscars, but IFTAs pulled its share of A-listers

SAOIRSE Ronan stared blankly when asked if she compared the IFTAs to the Oscars.

“Um, I don’t really compare them,” she said. And why would she. At the Oscars she was likely to meet George Clooney or Brad Pitt on the red carpet in sunkissed LA. Here she was standing next to Gerry Ryan and Steve, the winner of The Apprentice.

That said, this year’s IFTAs did manage to bring its share of A-listers. There was Colin Farrell and Josh Hartnett. Angelina Jolie’s dad, John Voight and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

It’s a night that not only celebrates film but also Irish television so there was bound to be a mix of RTÉ and unlike other years, when they boycotted the event, some TV3 names.

The red carpet event lasted about two hours with Fair City actress, Tatiana Ouliankina (the blonde Russian that used to date Leo) first to arrive.

Miriam O’Callaghan, in a €149 Pamela Scott gown and her husband were next up followed by investigative journalist and Skating on Ice star Donal McIntyre, accompanied by his wife.

Saoirse Ronan, clad in a purple Burberry figure-hugging dress was the first big name of the night to arrive just as the snow started falling in Dublin.

Then it was time for the TV stars. First came the Fair City crew followed by Gráinne Seoige, who was all alone – no Síle this year.

Like love-struck teenagers, Gerry Ryan, walked hand in hand with his girlfriend, Melanie Verwoerd.

Lifetime achievement award winner, John Boorman, was the next arrival but his presence was somewhat overshadowed by Irish rugby captain, Brian O’Driscoll and fiancee Amy Huberman. Brian took a back seat, chatting to Gerry Ryan while a stunning Amy did some interviews.

Jackie Lavin and Bill Cullen came with The Apprentice winner, Steve Rayner. While they spoke of tough times in business, the gathered female press were distracted because Josh Hartnett had just walked through the door. He was attending with his publicist Sue and took plenty of time to chat with the media, smiling and winking, talking of his Irish roots.

At about 6.30pm Colin Farrell walked into the lobby of the Burlington Hotel after actor Aidan Quinn. While he did an interview with Sky News he let his charming girlfriend, Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curus talk to the press.

Tudors’ actress, Sarah Bolger, posed for pictures with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who told us he was “too busy” to visit Cork at the moment.

Then just before seven actors Brendan Gleeson and Michael Fassbender arrived. But last of all for a photocall were the Xposé crew, showing this was one awards show where they didn’t keep the biggest names till last.