Carney took the prize for Most Promising Newcomer on the back of his internationally successful Once, while McGarvey was one of three winners recognised for work on Atonement, which also took home prizes for costume design and production.

McGarvey worked with the Oscar-nominated Carlow actress and Hot Press interviewee Saoirse Ronan on the film.

Co. Wicklow resident Daniel Day-Lewis won best actor for his intense portrayal of a California oil prospector in There Will Be Blood, a performance that has already earned him a Golden Globe and put him in the running for BAFTA and Oscar glory later this month. Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood also walked away with a nod for best score for his work on the film.

Elsewhere, Helena Bonham-Carter won the best actress award, while Anton Corbijn's Joy Division biopic Control was named best film.