Actor Eileen Walsh has been announced has this year's receipient of the Maureen O'Hara award at this year's Kerry International Film Festival.

Walsh will also participate in a public interview at this year's KIFF, which runs from October 19th-22nd; the programme features a pair of new Irish films featuring Walsh, Trish McAdam's feature Songs of Blood and Destiny and short drama The Golden West.

Since her breakthrough role in the original stage production of Disco Pigs, the Cork-born actor has amassed a formidable CV, winning acclaim for big screen roles in The Magdeline Sisters and Eden, and TV hits Catastrophe and Pure Mule.

Eillen Walsh won the Best Actress award at the
Tribeca Film Festival for her role in Eden

Presented annually at the Kerry International Film Festival, the the Maureen O'Hara award celebrates women that have excelled in film; previous winners include Jessie Buckley and Saoirse Ronan.

Upon receiving the award, Eileen Walsh reacted:"There's a photo of me and my sister Bernadette sitting on a picnic bench. I had taken a chunk of my communion money and bought a beige t-shirt and matching skirt. I pulled my knee socks up and smiled for the camera. My parents had brought us for a day trip to see The Quiet Man house. I thought I was as beautiful as she as I sat on the picnic table. My dad insisted he’d try the healthy water spring which smelt awful and tasted worse, although through his twisted face and appalled eyes he squeezed out the words "Ah it’s not that bad". I’m so delighted to receive this Maureen O’Hara award, her films are one thing but her lasting friendships and continued collaborations with directors and actors is a thing to admire and aspire to. As a proud Cork woman I’m only sorry it’s the Kingdom of Kerry that got there first to give me such an award."

Elsewhere, this year's Kerry Film Festival presents a programme that offers the best in new Irish and international cinema, including a formidable shorts programme. A number of live events include a performed reading of the script for Titanic from irreverent comedy troupe Dream Gun, a 'vizualisation' of singer-songwriter Molly O'Mahony's debut album House Of David, created by local filmmakers, and a screening of Buster Keaton's silent screen classic Sherlock Jr., with live accompanyment from acclaimed performer and musician Little John Nee.

The Kerry International Film Festival runs from October 19th-22nd - find out more here.