Bríd Ní Neachtain

Bríd Ní Neachtain, straight outta Galway, 1959 vintage—she’s got that kind of screen presence you just can’t fake. If you’ve seen The Banshees of Inisherin, you know what I’m talking about. There’s a groundedness to her performances, but she’s not afraid to swing big when the script calls for it. She’s been on the scene for a while, but honestly, 2022 was like a double whammy for her – The Banshees of Inisherin and Róise & Frank dropped in the same year, and both had her showing off totally different sides. In The Banshees, she’s wrapped up in all that dark Irish whimsy, dealing with characters who are as stubborn as Galway wind, while Róise & Frank lets her flex her chops in a more heartfelt, almost magical Irish tale about loss and hope and—heck, even a dog that might be her dead husband? Only in Ireland, right? Then there’s Advent in 2023, which veers off into a whole different mood, more introspective, a little bit haunting. She’s not just another face in the cast—she brings this authenticity that makes even the wildest plot twist feel legit. Folks in Ireland know her from TV and stage too, but lately, she’s having a real moment in film, and it’s about time. There’s something about her—maybe it’s that Galway grit or just years of experience—but whatever it is, she always leaves a mark, even in roles that aren’t front and center. If you’re into Irish cinema or just want to watch someone who actually feels real on screen, her performances are kinda essential viewing.