Actress Eileen visits former school to discuss hit movie Brooklyn

Actress Eileen visits former school to discuss hit movie Brooklyn

13 January 2016

CASTLEWELLAN movie star Eileen O’Higgins ped into her old school this week in a surprise visit for the Senior Book Club at Assumption Grammar School.

The group of A Level students who had recently chosen the book behind Eileen’s hit film Brooklyn as their inaugural read had already attended a special screening of the film — but more was in store.

The English department arranged for Eileen, a former English and Drama student in the school, to pay the Senior Book Club a surprise visit in the library on the first day back after the Christmas break.

Eileen, who played the role of Nancy in the film, spoke about how she prepared for the role, chatted with students and staf and signed their Brooklyn poster as a souvenir of the day.

“The girls were so excited to meet her and thoroughly enjoyed learning the difference between a novel and screenplay, and how Eileen interpreted her character and prepared for her role,” said Assumption teacher Grainne McMullan.

“GCSE Performing Arts students were also offered a question and answer session with Eileen to find out more about potential careers in the acting industry. 

“To round the morning off, school principal, Mr Peter Dobbin, invited Eileen to join the rest of the staff for a special extended break where she enjoyed catching up with former teachers who were delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate her on her recent success.”