Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has congratulated the Irish artists who have won awards at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Fishamble’s solo production of Underneath with Pat Kinevane was recipient of a Fringe First Award earlier today. The awards, handed out by the Scotsman newspaper, are the longest-running theatre awards at the festival.

Earlier in the week, Aoife Duffin won The Stage Award for Acting Excellence for her performance in The Corn Exchange’s A Girl is a Half-formed Thing.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin said, “it is an amazing tribute to the strength and imaginations of our artists that, once again, Irish culture has achieved substantial success in a global context.

"I know that the competition is fierce at the Edinburgh Festivals and it’s a fantastic result for these performers and their shows. I know also that it will generate further opportunities for them and I look forward to congratulating them in person when I travel to Edinburgh later this month," he added.

Both shows have received offers to tour internationally, following their acclaimed performances in Ireland and now Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs until the end of August.