The College is delighted to report that two past pupils have been nominated for the prestigious Best Actor award at this year's 'Irish Times' Irish Theatre Awards.

Recent Lir graduate Rhys Dunlop has been nominated for his role as William, the lead role in Simon Stephens' Punk Rock directed by Selena Cartmill in The Lyric Theatre, Belfast. A Level Drama students had the opportunity to see Dunlop in his first professional role since Drama school in September 2014, and he even found time in his busy schedule to visit their class to discuss the role and offer some advice to budding thespians.

Stage veteran Hinds receives a nomination for his portrayal of Michael from Mark O'Rawe's Our Few and Evil Days in The Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Hinds is no stranger to stage or screen having starred in HBO's Rome, the Phantom of the Opera and Above Suspicion to name but a few.

The photograph of Hinds and Dunlop was taken at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin, whilst Hinds was playing Captain Jack Boyle in O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock and Dunlop was in his first year at the Lir (The National Academy of Dramatic Art, Trinity College, Dublin).

The Awards Ceremony will take place on February 22nd at The National Concert Hall in Dublin. The College would like to take this opportunity to wish both men the best of luck!