WEST Belfast was at the double at the Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin last night with Anthony Boyle winning the Lead Actor in a Drama award for his performance in House of Guinness, and Lola Petticrew lifting the Lead Actress in a Drama award for Trespasses.
Anthony Boyle
In an emotional acceptance speech Lola said: “I want to dedicate this to the kids of West Belfast.
“I’m under no illusion that a lot of the reason that I am here is because of luck and that is not meaning to negate my hard work. I work really hard.
“But the system is not designed for kids where I’m from to survive let alone thrive. One-in-three kids in West Belfast live in poverty. That is the legacy of the war. That is the legacy of Britain’s hand in Ireland and that is a political violence and the kids of West Belfast deserve so much better so this is for them.”
Interviewed after receiving her award the Springhill actress said: "I don't think that was my standing ovation, I think that was a standing ovation for the kids in West Belfast."
Before the awards Anthony said that he was looking forward to meeting fellow Westie, actor Marty McCann from the Falls Road, who was nominated in the same category for his role in the BBC police drama Blue Lights.
“Marty McCann, who I am nominated with, I used to watch a clip of him winning an IFTA – he’s from West Belfast – and not many people broke through from there," he told RTÉ.
“I used to watch a clip of him winning and he was up on stage and I was like 'wow, that’s class, hopefully one day I can be up there'. It feels like a real pinch me or humbling moment that we’re in the same category.
“I’m very excited to see him.”
And that wasn't the end of the awards for Belfast actors, as North Belfast's Ciarán Hinds won IFTA's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ciarán Hinds last night
If you think you missed the awards, don't despair. You can watch all the glitz and the glamour on RTÉ ONE on Saturday night at 10.50pm.
