No surprises as ‘Love/Hate’ dominates Iftas

There were no big surprises at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards.

As predicted, RTÉ’s gritty hit drama Love/Hate swept the boards with six awards as B-list celebrities put on their best frocks and later boogied the night away.

After a seemingly endless wait on the red carpet upstairs in the stuffy Convention Centre — the main hall downstairs was being used for a job-creation convention — the stars slowly began to trickle in.

While Love/Hate dominated the television section of the awards, in the film section it was a good night for What Richard Did which won both best film and best actor for Jack Reynor.

As a sumptuous meal and fine wine was dispensed with, the Irish glitterati rose to their feet and took one last opportunity to show off their expensive frocks before hitting the dance floor.

Fionnuala Flanagan invested in a black Michael Kors number in which she seemed comfortable. But so much cleavage on display may not have been a great move for the more mature actress.

Robert Sheehan, attending the IFTA's last night. He was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Love/Hate. pic.twitter.com/UxLpffyK

— TMI Ireland ➰ (@TMIIreland) February 10, 2013

Well done to Wexford native and talented IFTA winning Love/hate actress Charlie Murphy #Ifta #IFTAstyle pic.twitter.com/GO8pax8e

— Laura Mullett (@LauraMullett) February 10, 2013

Saoirse Ronan opted for a dark Simone Rocha creation but her white shoes, intended for either golf, tennis, or an A&E department, screamed out in protest.

Miriam O’Callaghan sported lace over satin in an ultra marine blue dress by designer Marion Murphy-Cooney. Miriam revealed: “She just sent me the dress in a jiffy bag. She doesn’t even need to measure me and it fits like a glove. I love her.”

Síle Seoige opted for something completely different, wearing a dramatic, two-tiered, emerald silk creation.

As the dancefloor and the stage was set up, the beautiful people kicked off their high heels, loosened their bow ties, and prepared to boogie to the cheesy sounds of The Camembert Quartet, usually seen on The Late Late Show every Friday. Even the always serious looking director Jim Sheridan seemed to be enjoying himself.

Affable comic actor Chris O’Dowd said he loved spending so much time back in Ireland, while his stunning new wife Dawn Porter insisted that babies are definitely “not on the cards” for them at the moment.

Miriam O’Callaghan and Kathryn Thomas led the charge before most of the room joined in the fun and frolics. The atmosphere was electric, and despite a large meal and a lengthy performance, most of the guests and nominees seemed to be full of stamina.

Those with even more stamina and fire in their bellies decided to move the party uptown, heading for trendy venues such as Lillie’s Bordello, Krystle, and the new Madison nightclub.