Bow Street Academy — the National Screen Acting School of Ireland (known simply as Bow Street) is a film and television acting

academy An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tertiary education. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 386 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the go ...

in Dublin,

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. Named after its location on the road that was once home to the original Jameson whisky distillery, graduates of its Full Time Programme include Niamh Algar,

Ann Skelly Ann Skelly (born 6 December 1996) is an Irish actress. She received IFTA nominations for her performances in the film '' Kissing Candice'' (2017) and the miniseries '' Death and Nightingales'' (2018). She is also known for her roles in the crim ...

, Leah McNamara, Niamh McCormack,

Dónall Ó Héalai Dónall Ó Héalai () (born 5 March 1987) is an Irish actor and voice actor. He was named a 2020 Screen International#Screen International Stars of Tomorrow, ''Screen International'' Star of Tomorrow and twice nominated for best leading actor i ...

and Laurence O’Fuairan

History

The school was originally known as The Factory when it was based in Dublin's docklands. Students at that time included

Barry Keoghan Barry Keoghan ( ; born 18 October 1992) is an Irish actor. His accolades include a BAFTA Award, along with nominations for an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, he was listed at number 27 on ''The Irish Times'' list of Ireland ...

Jack Reynor Jack Reynor (born 23 January 1992) is an Irish actor. His notable roles include the films '' What Richard Did'' (2012), '' Transformers: Age of Extinction'' (2014), '' Glassland'' (2014), ''Macbeth'' (2015), '' Sing Street'' (2016) and '' Midso ...

, Brian Gleeson and

Louisa Harland Louisa Clare Harland (born ) is an Irish actress. She is known for her roles as Orla McCool in the Channel 4 sitcom ''Derry Girls'' (2018–2022) and the titular character of the Disney+ series ''Renegade Nell'' (2024). Early life Brought up i ...

. In 2012 Ireland's first full time screen acting course was launched called ''The Programme for Screen Acting'', but when Google bought the building in 2014 the Factory's lease was not renewed and they moved across the city and rebranded as Bow Street Academy. Here the school expanded, adding custom modules and courses including the 6 month Part-Time Screen Acting Course. At its launch, filmmaker

Jim Sheridan Jim Sheridan (born 6 February 1949) is an Irish people, Irish playwright and filmmaker. Between 1989 and 1993, Sheridan directed three critically acclaimed films set in Ireland, ''My Left Foot'' (1989), ''The Field (1990 film), The Field'' (19 ...

said "I'm delighted to see The Factory evolve into Bow Street Academy for Screen Acting. I've seen first hand the extraordinary calibre of actors coming through its programme for screen acting – both in class and on set. This building and this dream needs to be supported by us all." Collaborations and partnerships with organisations include

Screen Ireland Not to be confused with Northern Ireland Screen. Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, formerly known as Bord Scannán na hÉireann or the Irish Film Board, is Ireland's state development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. ...

, and Spotlight UK

Courses

Later Bow Street launched ‘The Actor as Creator’, Ireland's first funding scheme for actors in partnership with Ireland's national screen agency,

with the support of Equity. The scheme allows 30 actors per round to make their own short films. Many of these films have now become international award winners. The school offers a range of programs, masterclasses and courses including the web series ‘Bow Street Meets''’'' featuring interviews with

Oscar Isaac Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada (born March 9, 1979) is an American actor. Recognized for his versatility, he has been credited with breaking stereotypes about Hispanic and Latino Americans, Latino characters in Cinema of the United States, H ...

Saoirse Ronan Saoirse Una Ronan ( ; born 12 April 1994) is an American-born Irish actress. Primarily known for her work in period dramas, she has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, with nominations for four Academy Awards and sev ...

Andrew Garfield Andrew Russell Garfield (born 20 August 1983) is an English and American actor. After his breakout role in '' Boy A'' (2007), he came to international attention with the supporting role of Eduardo Saverin in the drama ''The Social Network'' ...

Fiona Shaw Fiona Shaw (born Fiona Mary Wilson; 10 July 1958) is an Irish film and theatre actress. She did extensive work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, as well as in film and television. In 2020, she was listed at No. 29 o ...

Brendan Gleeson Brendan Gleeson (born 29 March 1955) is an Irish actor. He has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, two British Independent Film Awards and three IFTA Awards, along with nominations for an Academy Award, three BAFTA Aw ...

Richard E. Grant Richard E. Grant (born Richard Grant Esterhuysen; 5 May 1957) is an Eswatini-born English actor and presenter. He made his film debut as Withnail in the comedy '' Withnail and I'' (1987). Grant received critical acclaim for his role as Jack H ...

Domhnall Gleeson Domhnall Gleeson (; born 12 May 1983) is an Irish actor and screenwriter. The son of actor Brendan Gleeson, he studied media arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology. He began his career by directing and writing several short films, and garne ...

Hugo Weaving Hugo Wallace Weaving (born 4 April 1960) is a British actor. He is the recipient of six Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) and has been recognised as an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia. Born in Colonia ...

, Richard Dreyfus,

Lenny Abrahamson Leonard Ian Abrahamson (born 30 November 1966) is an Irish film and television director. He is best known for directing independent films ''Adam & Paul'' (2004), ''Garage (film), Garage'' (2007), ''What Richard Did'' (2012), ''Frank (film), Fra ...

, and Leo Davis.

Notable alumni

* Niamh Algar - ('' The Virtues'', '' Raised by Wolves)'') * Jordanne Jones * Jade Jordan * Seana Kerslake - ('' Can't Cope, Won't Cope'', '' The Hole in the Ground'') *

* Niamh McCormack * Nika McGuigan - ('' Can't Cope Won't Cope'') * Leah McNamara - ('' Dublin Murders'', ''

Normal People ''Normal People'' is a 2018 novel by the Irish author Sally Rooney. ''Normal People'' is Rooney's second novel, published after '' Conversations with Friends'' (2017). It was first published by Faber & Faber on 30 August 2018. The book became a ...

'') *

- (''

Arracht (; 'Monster') is a 2019 Irish period drama film directed and written by set during the Great Famine of Ireland. It was selected as the Irish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. ...

'') * Nathan O'Toole *

References

External links

* * {{Performing arts schools in Ireland Education in Dublin (city) Educational institutions established in 2010 Performing arts education in Ireland Drama schools in Ireland 2010 establishments in Ireland