Cillian Murphy Triumphs as Best Actor at Irish Academy Awards: Revels in Heartwarming Homecoming

Cillian Murphy Crowned Best Actor at Irish Academy Awards, Savoring Triumphant Homecoming Moment

Dublin, Ireland - In a fitting finale to his remarkable awards season, Cillian Murphy has claimed the top acting prize for film on his home turf. The Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG award winner added one more trophy to his impressive collection on Saturday night, as he was named Best Lead Actor at the 21st Irish Film and TV Academy Awards for his performance in Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."

Upon accepting the award, presented by "Killers of the Flower Moon" star and fellow recent awards circuit regular Lily Gladstone, the notoriously shy actor admitted, "God, I'm still so brutal at this. But being in this room is so special — being at home, with people that I love and admire amongst my fellow nominees and some of my favourite people." Backstage at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, he added, "It feels lovely being home with so many friends and colleagues."

Gladstone, who described Murphy's wins as a "clean sweep," made her first trip to Ireland as a nominee for Best International Actress. Despite the transatlantic journey, the award ultimately went to "Poor Things" star Emma Stone, with producer Ed Guiney of Element Pictures giving a special shoutout to Gladstone during his acceptance speech on Stone's behalf.

While Murphy and Gladstone were undoubtedly the star attractions at the awards, which honour both TV and film, they were joined by an impressive lineup of nominees and presenters, including Sharon Horgan, Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, Eve Hewson, Kerry Condon, Alisha Weir, and Kneecap, the Irish rap band whose comedy biopic generated significant buzz at Sundance.

Legendary Northern Irish actor Stephen Rea was honoured with IFTA's Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by his "Crying Game" director Jordan. "This is a most prestigious award," Rea remarked. "If it happened a little later it could have been a posthumous award."

Other notable winners included:

Best Film : "That They May Face the Rising Sun" by Pat Collins

Best Director : Lisa Mulcahy for "Lies We Tell"

Best Script : Elisabeth Gooch for "Lies We Tell"

Best Lead Actress : Agnes O'Casey for "Lies We Tell"

Best Supporting Actor : Paul Mescal for "All of Us Strangers"

Best Supporting Actress : Alison Oliver for "Saltburn"

Best Drama : "Kin"

On the red carpet, Gladstone expressed her excitement about the diversity of characters and stories in her upcoming projects, including a light-hearted, farcical rom-com. Meanwhile, Sharon Horgan, nominated for Lead Actress Drama for "Best Interests," discussed the highly anticipated second season of Apple TV+'s hit series "Bad Sisters," which she hopes will be released before the end of the year.

The 2024 Irish Film and TV Academy Awards celebrated the best in Irish and international cinema and television, with Cillian Murphy's triumphant homecoming serving as the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable awards season.