We are delighted to announce that one of Ballyshannon’s greatest is coming home for Allingham.
Sean McGinley is not only Ballyshannon’s greatest actor but one of Ireland’s best. He has long been a familiar face on screen both big (The Field, Michael Collins, Braveheart, The General ….) and small (Family, Pure Mule, Love Hate, The Fall …) On stage he has worked with some of the greatest theatre companies in the world, including Druid, the Abbey, the Gate, the English National Theatre and Royal Court.
As part of this year’s festival, Sean will talk to Sinead Crowley, RTE media correspondent, not only about this glittering career, but also the early life that led to it.
Born in Ballyshannon, he spent the first few years of his life in Pettigo, where his father, John, was (like William Allingham before him) a customs officer. On moving to Ballyshannon he attended primary school in Rossinver Co Leitrim , where his mother, Margaret, was the teacher. An extremely talented and noted music teacher, Margaret is very fondly remembered by us in the Allingham Festival.
After secondary school at De La Salle Ballyshannon , he attended what is now the University of Galway, formerly known as UCG and later NUIG. He was cast in a one act play with UCG Dramsoc, where he was spotted by founder members of the fledgling Druid Theatre Co. who invited him to join them.
To hear the rest of Sean’s fascinating story please join us at the Allingham Festival, Ballyshannon, this November.