TWO IRISH ACTORS have been nominated for the prestigious Olivier Awards – including Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon.

O’Hanlon is up for an award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Weir, which co-stars Dervla Kirwan.

The Weir, a Conor McPherson play, was first produced in 1997 and is set in a rural Irish pub. Its revival saw it hit London’s West End, garnering high praise from critics.

He’ll be up against Ron Cook, Mark Gatiss and Jack Lowden in his category.

Meanwhile, Sarah Greene (Alice in Funderland, Little Gem) is up for a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in The Cripple of Inishmaan, joining Sharon D Clarke, Katherine Kingsley and Cecelia Noble in her category.

The Laurence Olivier awards, named for the famed actor, are prestigious theatre awards that first began in 1976. Originally the Society of London Theatre Awards, they were renamed after Olivier in 1984 with the actor’s agreement.

This year’s awards will take place on 13 April at London’s Royal Opera House, with the highlights to be broadcast afterwards on ITV.

Read: Here’s Ardal O’Hanlon’s student election leaflet from 1985>