Páraic Breathnach (born 1956) is an Irish actor, performer, writer and storyteller.

Early life and education

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A fluent Irish speaker, Páraic grew up in Carna, County Galway. As a student in University of Galway, he was deeply involved with An Cumann Drámaíochta and Dramsoc, where he teamed up with Ollie Jennings in a series of cultural initiatives in and out of college.

Career

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Breathnach worked with An Taibhdhearc and Druid Theatres and became the first manager of Galway Arts Centre, before co-founding Mácnas with Ollie Jennings. He has appeared in several major Irish films throughout the years, including Michael Collins and Breakfast on Pluto. A frequent contributor to TG4, he also played the character of Jacksie Walsh on RTÉ's Killinaskully.

He has also been the managing director of the Galway Arts Center.[1] In 2005, he was awarded an honorary degree from NUI Galway "for his immense contribution to cultural life in Galway and Ireland".[2]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 Reefer and the Model Quayside Fisherman
1996 Michael Collins Santry the Blacksmith
1997 The Butcher Boy Man on Truck
1998 Sweety Barrett Cannolly
2003 Dead Bodies Detective Gray
2004 Ella Enchanted Ogre No. 2
2005 Breakfast on Pluto Benny Feely
2007 Graveyard Clay Brían Mór
2016 Out of Innocence Martin Stapleton
2019 Arracht Fr. Joachin

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Clinic Mr. Colgan Episode #1.6
2003 Bachelors Walk Builder Episode #3.2
2003–2008 Killinaskully Jacksie Walsh 31 episodes
2010 Jack Taylor Father Malachy 6 episodes
2021–2023 Ros na Rún Sonny Derrane 69 episodes

References

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  1. ^ Lisa Regan. "New managing director at Galway Arts Centre". Galway Independent. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008.
  2. ^ NUI Galway to honour three individuals for their contributions to the Arts, NUI Galway, 17 October 2005

Further reading

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