Cillian Murphy was named Best Actor at the BAFTA Film Awards in London on Sunday night, becoming the first Irish-born actor to win the prestigious award.

Murphy was named Best Actor for his performance in the title role of Christopher Nolan's 2023 blockbuster "Oppenheimer", which also won Best Film at Sunday night's BAFTAs.

Murphy's co-star Robert Downey Jr. scooped the award for Best Supporting Actor, beating out Irish actor Paul Mescal, who had been nominated for the award for his performance in "All of Us Strangers". 

Nolan took home the award for Best Director as "Oppenheimer" won an impressive seven awards. 

Meanwhile, "Poor Things", produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures, took home five awards on Sunday night, including Best Actress for Emma Stone. 

The heavily-fancied Da'Vine Joy Randolph won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "The Holdovers". 

Speaking after receiving the award on Sunday, Murphy paid tribute to Nolan and his producer Emma Thomas, describing them as the "most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood". 

"Oh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much, BAFTA," Murphy said on Sunday night. 

"Thanks (to Nolan)  for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again."

Murphy additionally praised his fellow nominees and his Oppenheimer co-stars, who he described as his "Oppenhomies". 

"I know it's a cliché to say, but I'm in awe of you." 

The Irish actor described J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the Atomic Bomb, as a "colossally knotty character" and said it was a "privelege" to be a part of the debate around Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. 

Murphy concluded by paying tribute to his wife Yvonne and his children Malachy and Aran. 

"To Yvonne, Malachy and Aran, you're my best friends and I love you so much."