Gangsters and the glamour

The Love/Hate gang is back together (for one night only!) as they rock the red carpet at the Irish Film and Television Academy awards

FAN favourites Charlie Murphy, Tom Vaughan Lawlor and Peter Coonan lead a dangerous liaison of Love/Hate cast members on the red carpet at the IFTA’s last night.

The hugely successful crime drama show’s stars swapped gritty for glitzy as Simone Kirby, Denise McCormack and Caoilfhionn Dunne stood out at the annual event at Dublin’s Mansion House – looking drop dead gorgeous.

But they weren’t the only stars with smoking gúnaí (and tuxes).

RTÉ star Miriam O’Callaghan stepped out briefly in a white sequinned number from The Ivory Closet before she had to hotfoot it’ to her daughter Alannah’s hen party. As mother of the bride-tobe, Miriam revealed she will wear a red dress on the day but will be eschewing the traditional hat.

‘I’m going to be wearing a long red dress. I’ve no hat or headpiece – I’m not the type of person to wear a headpiece.’

Closer to home, Miriam said that everything is great in RTÉ despite the recent announcement of impending cuts. ‘I tend to be nauseatingly positive in life, but I think it’s a great place and I find everyone in very positive form. I think people are just focusing on their jobs. We all know we are very lucky to make TV shows and we want to keep making them.’

Despite her hotfooting abilities – and everyone asking her – Miriam said she won’t be starring in the next season of Dancing with the Stars. ‘I am definitely not doing Dancing With The Stars. Everywhere I go, even a taxi driver who dropped me here tonight said, “Miriam I’m banking on you dancing with stars.”’ But she did admit: ‘I’m nifty on the dancefloor.’

TV3 star Elaine Crowley also made a fleeting appearance. Dressed in a pretty plum gown by Soamazing, Elaine had to hightail it to the Battle of the Stars – for Breast Cancer Ireland – at the Intercontinental Hotel, where she was standing in as MC for 2fm presenter Nicky Byrne who was sick.

Other stars who rocked the red carpet included former TV3 presenter Lisa Cannon who looked ravishing in a red halter dress, host Deirdre O’Kane who wore a glittering dress by Amanda Wakeley; and Amy Huberman, who looked elegant in a vintage dress from Dirty Fabulous.

Meanwhile, the tuxedo-clad men didn’t disappoint – especially The Good Wife actor Jason O’Mara.

‘I flew in from LA,’ he said. ‘I forgot my tie so Mam went to the neighbour and borrowed one.’

Jason, who has joined the cast of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, said he loves playing a superhero. Well, it’s obviously in the genes.

‘I’m nifty on the dancefloor’