Bronagh Gallagher

Bronagh Gallagher (born 26 April 1972) is an Irish singer and actress from Northern Ireland. She had her first acting role in the 1989 television movie '' Dear Sarah''. In 2020, she was listed at number 33 on ''The Irish Times'' list of Ireland's greatest film actors.

Early life

During her teenage years, she got involved in drama and music activities through school and joined a local amateur dramatics group called the Oakgrove Theatre Company. At one time she was a backing singer in a local band called The Listener (1989–90). The band practised in a garage that belonged to Kevin McLaughlin, the drummer. Laurence Harkin, aka L, was the lead singer and guitarist.

Career

A former hairdresser, Gallagher's big break came when she starred as Bernie in '' The Commitments'' (1991), followed by a supporting role in the BBC drama '' You, Me & Marley'' (1992). She had small parts in ''Pulp Fiction'' (1994) and '' Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' (1999). Other film appearances include '' Mary Reilly'' (1996), '' Divorcing Jack'' (1998), '' Thunderpants'' (2002), ''Skagerrak'' (2003), '' Tristan & Isolde'' (2006), ''Last Chance Harvey'' (2008), ''Sherlock Holmes'' (2009) and '' Grabbers'' (2012).

Gallagher has appeared onstage in Théâtre de Complicité touring production of ''The Street of Crocodiles'' and The National Theatre's production '' War Horse'' as Rose Narracott.

Gallagher's first album ''Precious Soul'' was released in 2004 on the Salty Dog Records label and was produced by John Reynolds. The album features collaborations with Brian Eno on the songs "He Don't Love You" and "Hooks". Gallagher wrote most of the music on the album, played the drums and sang lead vocals.

Gallagher released a second album ''Bronagh Gallagher'' in 2012 and a third album ''Gather Your Greatness'' in 2016.

In 2009, Gallagher starred alongside a well-known cast on the MySpace/ Vertigo Films production '' Faintheart'' and starred in the BBC Three comedy TV series '' Pramface'' in 2012.

On television, she played the mother of young Nick in the BBC drama ''Nick Nickleby''. She played Trisha Meehan in '' The Field of Blood'' and Ada Mason in ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'' Series 10 episode "The Mystery of the Blue Train".

An image of Gallagher, in character as Bernie McGloughlin in the film '' The Commitments'', was featured on an Irish postage stamp as part of the ''Ireland 1996: Irish Cinema Centenary'' series issued by An Post. The image includes her ''The Commitments'' co-stars Angeline Ball as Imelda Quirke, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Natalie Murphy and Robert Arkins as Jimmy Rabbitte.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage roles

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Bronagh Gallagher in Concert at The Ardhowen Theatre
donniephair.com; accessed 5 August 2017.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gallagher, Bronagh
1972 births
Living people
Film actresses from Northern Ireland
Musicians from Derry (city)
Stage actresses from Northern Ireland
21st-century women singers from Northern Ireland
21st-century drummers from Northern Ireland
Actresses from Derry (city)
Women drummers from Northern Ireland
20th-century actresses from Northern Ireland
21st-century actresses from Northern Ireland
People on Irish postage stamps