President hails Irish Golden Globe winners

President Mary McAleese and Arts Minister Martin Cullen today congratulated Irish actors Gabriel Byrne and Colin Farrell on winning Golden Globe awards.

Byrne won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series (Drama) for his role as a psychoanalyst in the US medical drama 'In Treatment', while Colin Farrell scooped Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for the film 'In Bruges'.

The winners were announced at the 66th Golden Globe Awards ceremony held last night in Los Angeles.

Ms McAleese said the awards were a fitting recognition of the great talent of both actors.

She added: “The nomination of four Irish actors, including Brendan Gleeson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, underlines the continuing excellence and reputation of Ireland in the performing arts.”

Meyers was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television series (Drama) for his role in the Canadian/Irish co-production 'The Tudors'.

Gleeson featured in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) category for his part in 'In Bruges'.

Mr Cullen said the Golden Globes are significant international awards and were indicative of the talent and versatility of Byrne and Farrell.

“I would like to congratulate both actors on their success and I am sure their personal achievements last night will be welcomed by all in the Irish film industry,” he said.

“It was an auspicious night in America for innovative Irish talent and it demonstrates that we have some of the best international artists whose individual creative ability continues to occupy centre stage.”

The minister said recent changes by the Government to the Section 481 tax relief scheme will allow the Irish film sector to compete internationally to bring major productions to Ireland while strengthening home-produced film and TV.