Screen and Stage Class Acts

Liam O’Fhloinn And Emma Ní Lochlainn

MVB 1998 - MVB 2017

Liam O’Fhloinn, an equine vet, and Emma Ní Lochlainn, who specialises in small animals, featured in the RTÉ Irish language series, Saol an Tréidlia (Life of a Vet). The four-part observational documentary took viewers into the heart of communities, following the challenges vets face in dealing with a range of unpredictable and emotional cases and making decisions which impact animals and owners alike.

Gavin Drea

BA English and Film Studies 2011

Based on the book by Taylor Jenkins Read, Daisy Jones and the Six is one of Amazon Prime’s most-watched mini-series this year. Gavin Drea stars in the story of the eponymous fictional band as villain Nicky Fitzpatrick alongside a cast that includes Riley Keough as Daisy Jones and Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne. Drea’s acting career began in UCD’s Dramsoc when he landed a small part in a Shakespeare play during his first year in college. He never looked back.

Hannah Doherty

BAgrSc 2016

Hannah Doherty is one of four women farmers featured in TG4’s Mná na Talún, a four-part series giving an insight into the reality of life on an Irish farm. Doherty grew up on a farm, and graduated from one of the first Ag Science classes with an even split of men and women. She works as a beef and sheep adviser for the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland and runs Cornamount Farm in Co. Donegal with her husband, Tommy.

Conor McPherson

BA English and Philosophy 1991, MA 1994

For many, the live performance highlight of 2023 will be Tales from the Holywell, written by and starring Damien Dempsey and directed by Conor McPherson. The show premiéred at The Abbey in January and is a reflection in words, music and song on growing up in Donaghmede and a career in music. McPherson celebrated the 25th anniversary of his multi-award-winning play, The Weir, with a new staging of the play at The Abbey.

Eileen Dunne

BA 1978, HDip in Ed 1980

Journalist and presenter Eileen Dunne retired from RTÉ after a career with the national broadcaster spanning 42 years. Best known as the presenter of the evening news, Dunne started in RTÉ as a part-time continuity announcer in 1984, reading the sports results on The Sunday Game while many of the regular staff were away at the Los Angeles Olympics, before going on to co-present the Nine O’Clock News with Anne Doyle.

Evelyn Cusack

BSc 1979, MSc 1984

Meteorologist Evelyn Cusack retired earlier this year as Head of Forecasting at RTÉ, a role she held since 1981. The face of weather forecasting on Irish television screens since 1988, Cusack utilised her public recognition to promote careers in STEM for women and girls. Her down-to-earth style, ability to explain clearly the science of meteorology and her willingness to apologise when the forecast got things wrong made her a hugely popular broadcaster.

Brendan Gleeson

BA English and Irish 1978, HDip in Ed 1979

In Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, Brendan Gleeson plays Colm Doherty, who suddenly decides to end a long friendship with Pádraic Súilleabháin, played by Colin Farrell. The themes of isolation, loneliness and the complex relationships that exist between men resonated with audiences around the world and Gleeson’s powerful performance was recognised with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

David Burke

BA English and History of Art 1998, MA Film Studies 1999

David Burke has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at the Portland-based Oscar-winning feature film animation studio, LAIKA. Named after the Russian space dog who was one of the first animals to orbit the earth, the studio has produced movies such as Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link and Wildwood. Burke is also in charge of LAIKA’s live

Liam O’Fhloinn And Emma Ní Lochlainn

Gavin Drea

Hannah Doherty

Conor McPherson

Eileen Dunne

Evelyn Cusack

Brendan Gleeson

David Burke

Liam O’Fhloinn And Emma Ní Lochlainn

MVB 1998 - MVB 2017

Gavin Drea

BA English and Film Studies 2011

Hannah Doherty

BAgrSc 2016

Conor McPherson

BA English and Philosophy 1991, MA 1994

Eileen Dunne

BA 1978, HDip in Ed 1980

Evelyn Cusack

BSc 1979, MSc 1984

Brendan Gleeson

BA English and Irish 1978, HDip in Ed 1979

David Burke

BA English and History of Art 1998, MA Film Studies 1999

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