Colm Meaney to receive IFTA Lifetime Achievement award at upcoming 22nd Anniversary Awards Ceremony
Posted: 10th January 2025
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) has announced that iconic Irish actor Colm Meaney will be honoured with the Irish Academy Award for his Lifetime Achievement, and for his outstanding contribution to the Irish and international screen industry. His career, spanning five decades, has seen him work with renowned filmmakers including John Huston, Robert Redford, Michael Mann, Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan, Alan Parker, Warren Beatty and Ron Howard; and alongside actors such as Al Pacino, Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Bruce Willis, Anjelica Huston, Hugh Grant, Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, Julie Walters, Brian Cox, Samuel L. Jackson, James Caan, Burt Reynolds, Patrick Stewart and Michael Gambon.
Meaney will be presented with the Award in the presence of industry colleagues, friends and family, at the upcoming 22nd Anniversary IFTA Awards Ceremony, which will take place on Friday, 14th February at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
This year’s Awards Ceremony will welcome Irish and International Guests from all around the world for a great gathering of industry peers, to mark the incredible achievements of the Irish screen industry, at home and abroad. Actors, filmmakers and international guest presenters will join in the home celebration of Irish talent and storytelling, and to reward excellence in Film and TV Drama.
Responding to the announcement, Colm Meaney said:
To say I was surprised when I got the news that IFTA wanted to give me this award, would be an understatement. I was truly shocked. To be asked to join this long list of very illustrious previous recipients is a huge honour, and I'm thrilled and looking forward to a good night in Dublin on the 14th of February. Thank you to the Academy. It's a source of great pride and joy.”
Acknowledging Meaney’s contributions to the Irish screen industry, IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty said:
Colm is one of Ireland’s most beloved and versatile actors, with a one-of-a-kind warmth and roguish persona and wit that has endeared him to audiences right across the globe. His illustrious screen and stage career has shown him to be such a skillful and nuanced actor as well as a superbly funny leading man. Despite his international success, Colm has always been an unflinching supporter of home-grown Irish projects and talent coming through. The Irish Academy is honoured to pay tribute to Colm’s achievements, and his remarkable career."
Previous recipients of the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award include Judi Dench, Maureen O'Hara, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Jim Sheridan, and Fionnula Flanagan. A full overview of details for the 22nd IFTA Ceremony will soon be announced including ceremony host, guest presenters, and international guests.
The 2025 IFTA Nominations will be announced next Tuesday, 14th January.