Bríd Ní Neachtain

Bríd Ní Neachtain ([bʲɾʲiːdʲ nʲiː ˈnʲaxt̪ˠənʲ] /ˈbriːd niː ˈnɒktən/; born 1959) is an Irish actress.[2]

Ní Neachtain is a native of Connemara but now lives in Dublin. She is an actress, whose credits include Dancing at Lughnasa. A former board member of Irish language broadcaster, TG4, she is of 2009 completing a Celtic Studies degree. She starred in an adaptation of Máirtín Ó Cadhain's 1948 novel, Cré na Cille.

Ní Neachtain was educated at Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, Spiddal. A nun at the school, Sr Regina de Burca, who was interested in drama, first sparked her interest in acting. In her late teens, hearing that an assistant stage manager was leaving the Abbey Theatre, she wrote to Tomás Mac Canna, the director, and got the job. On occasion he gave her small parts in Irish language plays and this later developed into larger roles in both Irish and English. After her performance in Silver Dollar Boys Joe Dowling, artistic director, invited her to join the Abbey Actors. She remained with them until the 1990s when she left to work in TG4's soap, Ros na Rún.[3]

She is married to former Abbey Theatre Director and former Independent Senator Fiach Mac Conghail; they have two children.[4][5]