The Guard up for nine IFTAs

With the ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday February 11, nominations for the Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) have just been announced and it is The Guard that looks set to dominate proceedings. The incredibly successful Irish comedy is in the running in nine categories, including Best Film, Best Script and Best Director and Best Actor. The native nod come hot on the heels of last month's Golden Globe nomination for Brendan Gleeson and the film's inclusion last week in three categories (Best Film, Script and Actor) at the BAFTAs.

Over in the IFTAs Original Score category, Brian Byrne's Albert Nobbs score, which he conducted and recorded with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, is up, as is Lay Your Head Down, performed by Sinead O Connor and the Concert Orchestra. Lay Your Head Down has also earned a nomination as Best Original Song at the Golden Globes and is longlisted for an Oscar.

The Guard will face tough competition from Albert Nobbs, Charlie Casanova and Stella Days, whilst Brendan Gleeson is up against Michael Fassbender (Shame), Ciarán Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Martin Sheen (Stella Days). In the best actress category, Saoirse Ronan is up for her role in Hanna, Marcella Plunkett for Stella Days, Aoife Duffin for Behold The Lamb and Antonia Campbell Hughes for The Other Side of Sleep

For a full list of nominations in each category, click here.

The ceremony, hosted by Simon Delaney, takes place at the Convention Centre Dublin on Saturday February 11 and will be broadcast on RTÉ One from 9.30pm.