Seamus O'Hara explained

Seamus O'Hara
Birth Date:25 June 1990
Birth Place:Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:2012–present
Known For:An Irish Goodbye
Spouse:Mary Ellen O'Hara
Children:2

Seamus O'Hara (born 25 June 1990)[1] is a Northern Irish actor.

Early life

Born in Waveney Hospital, Ballymena, he grew up in Co. Antrim. His father Stephen was a teacher and restaurateur in Cushendall.[1] He attended school at St Ciaran's Primary School in Cushendun.[2] He was also educated at Garron Tower and Queen's University Belfast where he read English and Drama. He played juvenile hurling up to minor level with the Glens of Antrim combined team, St Patrick's, and played for Cushendun's Robert Emmets GAC.[1]

Career

He began his acting career with a role in the BBC NI student drama 6Degrees.[3] His television credits include Game of Thrones as well as Hope Street and Line of Duty.[4] His film credits include The Northman and .[5]

He had a leading role as Turlough in the 2022 short film An Irish Goodbye, alongside alongside James Martin, as two estranged brothers brought together by their mother’s death.[6] The film which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2023 Academy Awards.[7] [8] It also won the BAFTA Award for Best Short Film at the 2023 British Academy Film Awards.[9] [10]

In February 2023, he had a lead role in the play Silent Trade at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. He also had a role in 2023 Liam Neeson film In the Land of Saints and Sinners.[11]

He has a role in the second series of BBC One Northern Ireland police drama Blue Lights.[12]

Personal life

In 2023, he lived near Newry with wife Mary Ellen and children, Henry and Eileen.[1] He is a hurling coach at Killeavey GAC.[13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017ZooSoldier at Zoo Gate
2022MandrakeThomas
An Irish GoodbyeTurloughShort film
The NorthmanAudunn the Irish
2023Presto
In the Land of Saints and SinnersSeamus McKenna

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012–20156DegreesGary MeadowsSeries 1–3
2016My Mother and Other StrangersDavey Hanlon4 episodes
2017Line of DutyArresting officerEpisode: "In the Shadow of the Truth"
2018Agatha and the Truth of MurderPC SpencerTelevision film
2019Game of Thrones FergusEpisodes: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "The Long Night"
2022Hope StreetEddie McNultyEpisode #1.7
2023Shadow and BoneSergent HaslovEpisode: "No Shelter But Me"
2024Blue LightsLee Thompson6 episodes
House of GuinnessPatrick CochraneIn production

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BAFTA winner Seamus O'Hara still has a bit of hurling in him. 21 February 2023. 16 February 2024. The Saffrongael.
  2. Web site: Oscar-winning An Irish Goodbye actor Seamus O'Hara returns to school in Cushendun. Belfast Telegraph. 16 February 2024. Liam. Tunney. 23 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Co Antrim Blue Lights star: ‘I’ve no interest in televisual tropes about Catholics and Protestants'. Belfast Telegraph. 14 April 2024. Maureen. Coleman. 14 April 2024.
  4. Web site: High profile Irish actors who have condemned lack of political leadership at Stormont. Itish News. 16 February 2024. David. Roy. 19 June 2023.
  5. How 'An Irish Goodbye' charmed Hollywood and triumphed at the Oscars. Rolling Stone. 16 February 2024. Lee. Campbell. 28 March 2023.
  6. Web site: Donegal Live. 16 February 2024. A Donegal star at the Oscars!. 13 March 2023.
  7. Web site: Antrim actor 'finding strength in being Northern Irish' following 'strange hostility' to nationality. Belfast Telegraph. 16 February 2024. Liam. Tunney. 23 August 2023.
  8. Web site: Nominees for the 95th Academy Awards. 24 January 2023. Variety.com. 16 February 2024.
  9. Web site: 19 February 2023. Baftas: An Irish Goodbye wins best short film award. BBC News. 16 February 2024.
  10. Web site: An Irish Goodbye Oscar winners aim to 'bask in success' with cinema tour. 15 March 2023. RTE News. 16 February 2024.
  11. Web site: Seamus O'Hara, star of Bafta-winner An Irish Goodbye, on powerful new play Silent Trade. Irish News. Gail. Bell. 20 February 2023. 16 February 2024.
  12. Web site: Blue Lights: new cast and loyalist-centric plot revealed for second series of BBC's hit Belfast cop show. Irish News. 16 February 2024. 16 February 2024. David. Roy.
  13. Web site: From razzle of the Oscars to the dazzle of Newry St Patrick's Day Parade. Newry.ie. 16 February 2024. 16 March 2023.