Show date: Local comedian Kevin McGahern to host the 22nd IFTA Awards ceremony on Valentine's night

Local comedian, actor and presenter Kevin McGahern (pictured) is to host the 22nd annual IFTA Awards ceremony, which will take place on Friday, February 14 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.

Loch Gowna native McGahern said, “It’s a huge honour to be asked to host the IFTAs this year. It's been another amazing year for Irish Film and Drama, both here and around the globe and I look forward to celebrating those achievements on the night and to having some fun too - what incredible talent and skill that this small island is capable of.”

McGahern began his career in 2009, and was host of RTE’s Republic of Telly for ten seasons. A talented writer and actor Kevin has starred in projects including Redemption of a Rogue, Smother, Hardy Bucks, Video Nasty, The Bright Side, Northern Lights, Finding Joy, Bridget & Eamon, Nowhere Fast, The Dry and The Last Duel. He was nominated for IFTA’s TV Rising Star Award in 2016.

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In 2021, he began hosting Clear History with Jason Byrne and Joanne McNally. He has hosted TV documentaries including Kevin McGahern’s Fast & Furious and KevinMcGahern’s America, as well as the RTE series Kevin Paints and Cheap European Homes.

In 2023, he was a contestant on RTE’s Dancing With The Stars.

As a comedian, he has performed on major stages including the Edinburgh Fringe, Vodafone Comedy Festival, Body and Soul, Electric Picnic, and Forbidden Fruit. He is also co-host of popular podcast The Lovely Show with fellow comedian Justine Stafford.

The 2025 IFTA Awards Ceremony takes place on Friday, February 14 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. The Irish Academy Awards are funded by Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán.