Golden Globe awards - Wonderful achievements

IN these grimmest of times what could be better than a red carpet, some of the world’s most beautiful people in their party best and the recognition of your peers?

That is what happened in Beverly Hills on Sunday night when two Irish actors — Colin Farrell and Gabriel Byrne — picked up highly coveted honours at the Golden Globe awards. Two more — Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Brendan Gleeson — had been nominated for awards.

The Irish film industry has been in the doldrums for some years and, like every other business in the country, seems to have slipped into the shadows because we cannot compete with cheaper but equally attractive, suited locations around the world.

How wonderful it would be if we could change that situation and use the great talents of Irish actors, film makers and writers to rejuvenate an industry that did so much to build our confidence and economy when Irish filmmaking was at its peak.

And how wonderful it was to see Mickey Rourke overcome his demons to be named best dramatic actor. His courage and resilience are an example to us all.