Ian McElhinney

Ian McElhinney (born 19 August 1948) is a Northern Irish actor and director. He has appeared in many television series in a career spanning more than forty years; notable appearances include Taggart, Hornblower, Cold Feet, and The Tudors. In recent times his best known roles are as Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones, Morgan Monroe in The Fall, and Granda Joe in Derry Girls.

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City of Ember (2008)

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers, in a race against ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gil Kenan
CAST:  Saoirse Ronan  •  Harry Treadaway  •  Mary Kay Place  •  Bill Murray

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers, in a race against ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gil Kenan
CAST:  Saoirse Ronan  •  Harry Treadaway  •  Mary Kay Place  •  Bill Murray

Hamlet (1996)

IntenseSmartTragicEpic

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father murdered and his mother now marrying the murderer... his uncle. Meanwhile, war is brewing.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenneth Branagh
CAST:  Kenneth Branagh  •  Julie Christie  •  Judi Dench  •  Gérard Depardieu

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father murdered and his mother now marrying the murderer... his uncle. Meanwhile, war is brewing.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenneth Branagh
CAST:  Kenneth Branagh  •  Julie Christie  •  Judi Dench  •  Gérard Depardieu

Michael Collins (1996)

Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Neil Jordan
CAST:  Alan Rickman  •  Liam Neeson  •  Julia Roberts  •  Aidan Quinn

Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Neil Jordan
CAST:  Alan Rickman  •  Liam Neeson  •  Julia Roberts  •  Aidan Quinn

The Grasscutter (1990)

An Ulster Volunteer Force vigilante, turned police informer, is sent by the British government to New Zealand to start a new life, leaving behind his eldest son. Although his wife and two young boys are also in New Zealand, they are no longer together, and he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ian Mune
CAST:  Terence Cooper  •  Ian McElhinney  •  Judy McIntosh  •  Mitchell Manuel

An Ulster Volunteer Force vigilante, turned police informer, is sent by the British government to New Zealand to start a new life, leaving behind his eldest son. Although his wife and two young boys are also in New Zealand, they are no longer together, and he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ian Mune
CAST:  Terence Cooper  •  Ian McElhinney  •  Judy McIntosh  •  Mitchell Manuel

This Is the Sea (1997)

The film is set in Northern Ireland shortly after 1994 cease-fire. Hazel is a Protestant and Malachy a Catholic. Romance between them is threatened by Rohan (leader in militant underground and pal of Malachy's brother Padhar), who wants Malachy to be recruited and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mary McGuckian
CAST:  Samantha Morton  •  Ross McDade  •  Richard Harris  •  Gabriel Byrne

The film is set in Northern Ireland shortly after 1994 cease-fire. Hazel is a Protestant and Malachy a Catholic. Romance between them is threatened by Rohan (leader in militant underground and pal of Malachy's brother Padhar), who wants Malachy to be recruited and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mary McGuckian
CAST:  Samantha Morton  •  Ross McDade  •  Richard Harris  •  Gabriel Byrne

Omagh (2005)

The movie starts at the 1998 bomb attack by the Real IRA at Omagh, Northern Ireland. The attack killed 31 people. Michael Gallagher one of the relatives of the victims starts an examination to bring the people responsible to court.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pete Travis
CAST:  Gerard McSorley  •  Michèle Forbes  •  Brenda Fricker  •  Stuart Graham

The movie starts at the 1998 bomb attack by the Real IRA at Omagh, Northern Ireland. The attack killed 31 people. Michael Gallagher one of the relatives of the victims starts an examination to bring the people responsible to court.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pete Travis
CAST:  Gerard McSorley  •  Michèle Forbes  •  Brenda Fricker  •  Stuart Graham

Small Faces (1996)

Three teenage brothers, gang-member Bobby, troubled mama's boy Alan and self-assured prankster Lex, reside in a downtrodden section of Glasgow, Scotland, circa 1968. But while Bobby and Alan are beginning to experience the power of raging hormones, the story ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gillies MacKinnon
CAST:  Iain Robertson  •  Joseph McFadden  •  Steven Duffy  •  Laura Fraser

Three teenage brothers, gang-member Bobby, troubled mama's boy Alan and self-assured prankster Lex, reside in a downtrodden section of Glasgow, Scotland, circa 1968. But while Bobby and Alan are beginning to experience the power of raging hormones, the story ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gillies MacKinnon
CAST:  Iain Robertson  •  Joseph McFadden  •  Steven Duffy  •  Laura Fraser

The Boxer (1997)

Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Sheridan
CAST:  Daniel Day-Lewis  •  Brian Cox  •  Emily Watson  •  Lorraine Pilkington

Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Sheridan
CAST:  Daniel Day-Lewis  •  Brian Cox  •  Emily Watson  •  Lorraine Pilkington

Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant (1998)

Acting Lieutenant Hornblower attempts to study for his promotion examination, but becomes distracted by the serious supply problems that face his crew.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Grieve
CAST:  Ioan Gruffudd  •  Robert Lindsay  •  Denis Lawson  •  Ian McNeice

Acting Lieutenant Hornblower attempts to study for his promotion examination, but becomes distracted by the serious supply problems that face his crew.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Grieve
CAST:  Ioan Gruffudd  •  Robert Lindsay  •  Denis Lawson  •  Ian McNeice

Anne Devlin (1984)

The story of Anne Devlin, who was caught up in the revolt of the Irish under Robert Emmett in 1803, told exclusively from the woman's point of view.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pat Murphy
CAST:  Brid Brennan  •  Bosco Hogan  •  Des McAleer  •  Gillian Hackett

The story of Anne Devlin, who was caught up in the revolt of the Irish under Robert Emmett in 1803, told exclusively from the woman's point of view.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pat Murphy
CAST:  Brid Brennan  •  Bosco Hogan  •  Des McAleer  •  Gillian Hackett

Make it New John (2010)

Make it new John tells the story of the DeLorean car, its creator John DeLorean and the workers of the Belfast-based car plant who built it. The film deftly contrasts the DeLorean dream with its spectacular downfall during a critical period in Northern Ireland's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Duncan Campbell
CAST:  Liz May Brice  •  Stuart Graham  •  Frankie McCafferty  •  Ian McElhinney

Make it new John tells the story of the DeLorean car, its creator John DeLorean and the workers of the Belfast-based car plant who built it. The film deftly contrasts the DeLorean dream with its spectacular downfall during a critical period in Northern Ireland's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Duncan Campbell
CAST:  Liz May Brice  •  Stuart Graham  •  Frankie McCafferty  •  Ian McElhinney

Life After Life (1995)

Leo Doyle, a convicted IRA murderer, is released into the community after 14 years in prison on a scheme to rehabilitate former terrorists. He soon finds that the ceasefire has robbed him of both purpose and identity. Relationships with his family are difficult and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tim Fywell
CAST:  Lorcan Cranitch  •  Ingrid Craigie  •  Michelle Fairley  •  Robert Donavan

Leo Doyle, a convicted IRA murderer, is released into the community after 14 years in prison on a scheme to rehabilitate former terrorists. He soon finds that the ceasefire has robbed him of both purpose and identity. Relationships with his family are difficult and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tim Fywell
CAST:  Lorcan Cranitch  •  Ingrid Craigie  •  Michelle Fairley  •  Robert Donavan

Durango (1999)

In 1939 Ireland, a young man decides to lead a forty mile cattle drive rather than selling his cattle to an unscrupulous local buyer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brent Shields
CAST:  Matt Keeslar  •  Patrick Bergin  •  Brenda Fricker  •  George Hearn

In 1939 Ireland, a young man decides to lead a forty mile cattle drive rather than selling his cattle to an unscrupulous local buyer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brent Shields
CAST:  Matt Keeslar  •  Patrick Bergin  •  Brenda Fricker  •  George Hearn

Reefer and the Model (1988)

Comerford’s signature sharp realism infuses this drama about Reefer, an ex-IRA man who picks up hitch-hiker Teresa, a pregnant woman trying to overcome a drug addiction. They head to the trawler where he lives with friends Spider and Badger, that operates between ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Comerford
CAST:  Ian McElhinney  •  Carol Moore  •  Sean Lawlor  •  Ray McBride

Comerford’s signature sharp realism infuses this drama about Reefer, an ex-IRA man who picks up hitch-hiker Teresa, a pregnant woman trying to overcome a drug addiction. They head to the trawler where he lives with friends Spider and Badger, that operates between ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Comerford
CAST:  Ian McElhinney  •  Carol Moore  •  Sean Lawlor  •  Ray McBride

The End of the World Man (1986)

When some Belfast children find out that city planners intend to "develop" a wooded area called the Glen that the girls use as a retreat from the pressures of city life, they decide to fight back - but in their own way.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Miskelly
CAST:  Geraldine Hughes  •  Michael Knowles  •  Ian McElhinney  •  James Nesbitt

When some Belfast children find out that city planners intend to "develop" a wooded area called the Glen that the girls use as a retreat from the pressures of city life, they decide to fight back - but in their own way.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Miskelly
CAST:  Geraldine Hughes  •  Michael Knowles  •  Ian McElhinney  •  James Nesbitt

Who Bombed Birmingham? (1990)

Docudrama film exploring the efforts of World in Action researchers Ian MacBride and Chris Mullin in proving that the "Birmingham Six" only admitted to the bombing under extreme duress, and that the five IRA members were in fact responsible for the deadly attacks  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Beckham
CAST:  John Hurt  •  Martin Shaw  •  Roger Allam  •  John Kavanagh

Docudrama film exploring the efforts of World in Action researchers Ian MacBride and Chris Mullin in proving that the "Birmingham Six" only admitted to the bombing under extreme duress, and that the five IRA members were in fact responsible for the deadly attacks  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Beckham
CAST:  John Hurt  •  Martin Shaw  •  Roger Allam  •  John Kavanagh

Three Wise Women (2010)

After a young girl witnesses her father having an affair, she declares she will never love anybody ever again. As a result, her guardian angel is forced to abandon her. Later, when she grows to be a miserable woman, her angel is given a second chance to save her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Declan Recks
CAST:  Lauren Coe  •  Hugh O'Conor  •  Lesley Conroy  •  Fionnula Flanagan

After a young girl witnesses her father having an affair, she declares she will never love anybody ever again. As a result, her guardian angel is forced to abandon her. Later, when she grows to be a miserable woman, her angel is given a second chance to save her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Declan Recks
CAST:  Lauren Coe  •  Hugh O'Conor  •  Lesley Conroy  •  Fionnula Flanagan

Hornblower: Loyalty (2003)

Hornblower must deliver a French nobleman to a secret rendezvous near Brest, all while coping with enemy agents in his own ranks.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Grieve
CAST:  Ioan Gruffudd  •  Robert Lindsay  •  Paul McGann  •  Lorcan Cranitch

Hornblower must deliver a French nobleman to a secret rendezvous near Brest, all while coping with enemy agents in his own ranks.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Grieve
CAST:  Ioan Gruffudd  •  Robert Lindsay  •  Paul McGann  •  Lorcan Cranitch

Hornblower: Retribution (2001)

Hornblower and the other officers of the Renown must return to Jamaica to face a court-martial and possible execution for their actions in relieving their unstable captain.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Grieve
CAST:  Ioan Gruffudd  •  David Warner  •  Robert Lindsay  •  Nicholas Jones

Hornblower and the other officers of the Renown must return to Jamaica to face a court-martial and possible execution for their actions in relieving their unstable captain.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Grieve
CAST:  Ioan Gruffudd  •  David Warner  •  Robert Lindsay  •  Nicholas Jones

The Playboys (1992)

A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty and every man in town desires her, especially Sergeant Hegarty (Albert Finney) ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gillies MacKinnon
CAST:  Albert Finney  •  Aidan Quinn  •  Robin Wright  •  Milo O’Shea

A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty and every man in town desires her, especially Sergeant Hegarty (Albert Finney) ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gillies MacKinnon
CAST:  Albert Finney  •  Aidan Quinn  •  Robin Wright  •  Milo O’Shea
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