Biography
Rachael Dowling made her screen debut as Lily in John Huston's classic film adaptation of James Joyce's The Dead (1987). She later starred in Tom Collins' Bogwoman alongside Peter Mullan and appeared in David Yates' (Harry Potter) The Tichborne Claimant. Her other roles include P.J. Dillon's Rewind, Tears In The Rain opposite Sharon Stone, the RTE drama The Treaty opposite Brendan Gleeson as Michael Collins, the Channel 4 children's series Double Act based on Jacqueline Wilson's novel, the US TV sequel Scarlett (to Gone With The Wind), and Widow's Peak. Irish television audiences know her well as Sharon in Glenroe, a long-running rural drama series.
In 2012, Rachael appeared on stage in Edna O'Brien's adaptation of The Country Girls, which enjoyed a successful run at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre and toured throughout Ireland.
She made her professional theatre debut in Jim Sheridan's New York production of Brendan Behan's The Hostage (1985) and collaborated with Sheridan on several productions at The Irish Arts Centre in Manhattan. She also featured in his films The Field and In The Name Of The Father.
Her other theatre credits include 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-1990s, she paused her career to study Film and Television Production at Hunter College in Manhattan, then earned an MA in Film Studies with first-class honours and top of her class at Dublin City University (DCU).
She has lectured in Film History at The National College of Art and Design (NCAD).
Rachael wrote and directed the award-winning short film Stealth, which screened at several international film festivals. She has also directed theatre productions, including Missing Football, the award-winning debut play by Irish writer Peter McKenna.
She regularly collaborates with Irish screenwriters and directors as a script editor and creative consultant.
