Rachael Dowling

Acting

Rachael Dowling

Credits
16 titles

Biography

Rachael Dowling made her screen debut playing Lily in John Huston's classic film adaptation of James Joyce's The Dead (1987). She went on to star in Tom Collin's Bogwoman opposite Peter Mullan and David Yates' (Harry Potter) The Tichborne Claimant. Other roles include P.J. Dillon's Rewind, Tears In The Rain opposite Sharon Stone, RTE drama The Treaty opposite Brendan Gleeson as Michael Collins , Double Act a Channel 4 series for children based on the novel by Jacqueline Wilson, Scarlett (the US TV sequel to Gone With The Wind) and Widow's Peak. She is well known to Irish television audiences as Sharon in Glenroe, a long running rural Irish drama serial.

Rachael was seen on stage recently (2012) in Edna O'Brien's own adaptation of The Country Girls which had a highly successful run at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre as well as on tour in Ireland.

She made her professional theatrical debut in Jim Sheridan's New York production of Brendan Behan's The Hostage (1985) and continued to work with Mr Sheridan on several of his theatre productions at The Irish Arts Centre in Manhattan. She also appeared in his films The Field and In The Name Of The Father.

Other theatre work includes: A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Child's Christmas in Wales, Peg O' My Heart, She Stoops To Conquer (Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, USA) The Hostage (Irish Arts Centre, New York and Druid Theatre Co. Galway), Forty Four Sycamore (Red Kettle Theatre Co.), Aristocrats (Mark Taper Forum LA), Torchlight And Laser Beams (Gaiety Theatre), A Slice Of Saturday Night (Andrews Lane Theatre), The Streets Of Dublin (Tivoli Theatre), Da (Olympia Theatre), Purple Dust (Abbey Theatre), Big Maggie (Abbey Theatre) School for Scandal (Gate Theatre), Pride And Prejudice (Gate Theatre) and Uncle Vanya (Mercury Theatre -London). In the mid 90's Rachael took a career break to study Film and Television Production at Hunter College in Manhattan. She then returned to Dublin City University (DCU) in Ireland and was awarded her MA in Film Studies gaining first class honours and first place in her class.

She lectured at The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Film History.

She has written and directed an award winning short film Stealth which was screened at several international film festivals. She has also directed for the theatre including Missing Football an award winning first play by Irish writer Peter McKenna.

Rachael continually works with Irish screenwriters and directors as a script editor and creative consultant.

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 16

YearTitleRole
2025 Anniversary Film Heidi Harris
2025 Re-Creation Film Shanna Kierans
2021 Kin TV Claire Larkin (3 ep)
2021 Three Families TV Head Teacher (1 ep)
2017 Paula TV Mrs Morecroft (2 ep)
2014 Penny Dreadful TV Dress Shop Owner (1 ep)
2010 Rewind Film Mary
2002 Double Act Film Rose
2000 Escape Film Mother
1999 The Tichborne Claimant Film Mary Anne
1997 Bogwoman Film Maureen
1994 Scarlett TV Bridie O'Hara (3 ep)
1993 In the Name of the Father Film Policewoman
1990 The Field Film Girl at Dance
1988 Tears in the Rain Film Young Emily
1987 The Dead Film Lily
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