The Countdown has begun for Irish television’s most glamorous night of the year with an unprecedented line-up of Ireland’s leading talents and Nominees who are blazing a trail across our TV screens. The Cream of Irish Television mixed with international guests will fill the Ballroom at the DoubleTree in Dublin where Amanda Byram takes the Helm for her second year. The Ceremony takes place at the DoubleTree Hotel on Friday the 7th October and will be broadcast on TV3.

Amanda Byram, one of Ireland and the UK’s most experienced and popular TV Presenters with an award-winning repertoire of international work to her credit, says

“I am so honoured to have been invited back to host the IFTAS for a second year running. It makes me so proud to celebrate Irish television talent, in front and behind the camera, and to be the Host of a night like this is such a joy for me."

Preparations are in full swing with Guest presenters lined up and Scripts being completed, the Gúnas are being tailored by top Irish designers and the Dress Suits and bow ties and cuff links.

The excitement is building to find out just who will take home the coveted Irish Academy Awards, especially in this exceptional year of Irish Television production. Ireland’s leading Television presenters and talents will gather together to celebrate a year of superb TV shows and programmes.

Among the Guests already confirmed to attend include Pat Kenny, Miriam O’Callaghan, Bob Geldof, Grainne Seoige, Brendan O’Carroll, Kathryn Thomas, Pat Shortt, Deirdre O’Kane, Sharon Horgan, Joe Duffy, Claire Byrne, Olivia O’Leary, Mark Cagney, Elaine Crowley, Brendan O’Connor, Karen Koster, Kevin McGahern, Jennifer Zamparelli, Baz Ashmawy, Vogue Williams, Al Porter, Angela Scanlon, Enda Oates, Rachel Weiz, Martin King, Amanda Brunker, John Creedon, Glenda Gilson, John Connors, Maria Walsh, Jedward, Rory Cowan, Maire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill, Darren Kennedy, Lucy Kennedy, Maura Durrane, Risteard Cooper & Darren Cooke, Nadia Forde, The Rubberbandits, Alison Comyn and Red Rock cast including Denise McCormack, Jane McGrath, Sean Mahon, Patrick Ryan, Andrea Irvine (among others) along with Fair City’s IFTA winner Enda Oates, Karl Shiels, Aisling O’Neill, Tony Tormey (among others).

Pat Kenny will receive the Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award and TG4 will receive recognition for delivering 20 years of Irish language television with Mícheál Ó Meallaigh receiving the Irish Academy Award for his Outstanding Contribution.

The Television Awards are sponsored by Gala Retail in Ireland and this year TV3 will deliver coverage of all the excitement around the Nominees, Guests and Winners from the Ceremony and the Red Carpet in an exclusive Awards Ceremony programme on Sunday 9th October.

FULL THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES HERE: