NINE awards were presented in Dublin yesterday at the inaugural Kilkenny Irish Beer Cream of Irish Awards Ceremony.
The categories ranged from the performing arts and literature, to contemporary music and photography.
Mayo writer Mike McCormack won the literature section, while Ger Sweeney won the visual arts category, Claire Garvey the fashion award, and Colm Henry took the prize for photography.
All four members of the rock band Whipping Boy showed up to collect their award for contemporary music. Ed Guiney, a film producer, won the cinema award.
Theatre director John Crowley won the award for performing arts, while jewellery designer Vivien Walsh picked up the design award. A special award was made to Phyllis Ryan, founder of the Gemini Theatre Company, for her contribution to the arts.
The awards, which are planned as an annual event, were introduced by RTE presenter Sean Moncrieff, and judged by a panel of nine including fashion designer Ms Louise Kennedy critic Mr Ciaran Carty and Irish Times columnist John Waters.