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Kneecap, which is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the west Belfast rap trio was formed, also took Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt and Best Joint Lead for trio Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh.

On the red carpet, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, better known as Móglaí Bap, explained why he thought the film had resonated with audiences.

Sure, Naoise Ó Caireallain, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh — known respectively under their rap monikers Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí — could have gone the traditional documentary route, charting their rise from defiant West Belfasters to internationally recognized cultural heroes.

And while the movement to legitimize the Irish language in Northern Ireland gathers steam, Naoise and Liam Óg are little more than clubgoing miscreants just trying to get drugs to either take or sell.

“They have an opportunity to really listen, to do something about a terrible injustice,” said Naoise Connolly Ryan, whose husband died in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash.