Bronagh Gallagher

Bronagh Gallagher (born 1972) is an Irish singer and actress from Northern Ireland. She had her first acting role in the 1989 television movie Dear Sarah. She became known internationally known after her appearance in the 1991 film The Commitments.

Early life and education Bronagh Gallagher was born in 1972 in Derry, Northern Ireland, to working class Catholic parents. Her sister, Louise, is a film producer.

Music Her 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.

She released a second album, Bronagh Gallagher, in 2012, and a third album, Gather Your Greatness, in 2016. Acting 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), which is part of the BBC anthology series, ScreenPlay. 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 on stage in Théâtre de Complicité touring production of The Street of Crocodiles and The National Theatre's production War Horse as Rose Narracott.

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".

In 2019, she began her role as Carol, the sister of amateur boxer Ashley in the Sky Original series Brassic.

Recognition 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 Andrew Strong as Deco Cuffe.

Acting credits Film

Television

Theatre

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result2003 IFTA Awards Best Actress in a Television Drama Sinners Best Actress in a Film Spin the Bottle 2004 Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels Best Actress Holy Cross Bodil Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Skagerrak Robert Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2008 Golden Nymph Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series The Street 2012 IFTA Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Television The Field of Blood 2013 IFTA Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Film Grabbers 2020 Best Actress in Leading Role - Film A Bump Along the Way