Listings

Derry Girls wins best comedy at IFTAs

Derry Girls has been a hit for Channel 4
Derry Girls has been a hit for Channel 4

DERRY Girls has been named best comedy at the Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs).

Lisa McGee, who wrote the hit Channel 4 show, also scooped the award for writer in a comedy or soap.

In a reference to one of the show's best lines, she joked on Twitter that the cast had forgotten their 'punt purse' before crossing the border.

The comedy, which has become one of the most talked about shows of recent years, is set for a second series.

Derry Girls was nominated for four awards at last night's gala ceremony, which was held at the RDS in Dublin and hosted by Jason Byrne.

Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee
Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee
Derry Girls l-r:  Gerry Quinn (Tommy Tiernan), Mary Quin (Tara O'Neill) Erin Quinn (Sairse Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Sarah McCool (Kathy Clarke) Granda Joe (Ian McElhinney).
Derry Girls l-r: Gerry Quinn (Tommy Tiernan), Mary Quin (Tara O'Neill) Erin Quinn (Sairse Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Sarah McCool (Kathy Clarke) Granda Joe (Ian McElhinney).

Other winners included BBC Newsline, which won the news category award ahead of RTÉ Six One News and a 3 News special on Brexit.

Belfast-based production company Sixteen South won the award for best animation for its children's series Lily's Driftwood Bay.

Award-winning children's show Lily's Driftwood Bay is developed in Belfast by Sixteen South
Award-winning children's show Lily's Driftwood Bay is developed in Belfast by Sixteen South

And GAA presenter Marty Morrissey – who this year took part in RTÉ's Dancing With The Stars – won the presenter of the year award, which was voted for by the public.

Sports presenter Marty Morrissey   
Sports presenter Marty Morrissey