Creative Writing Lecturer (Scriptwriting)

Dr Jimmy McAleavey is under commission with the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Tinderbox and Hotshot Films.  He is the author of numerous stage plays, including: Inventors (Kabosh, 2013), The Queen’s Shilling (Goldin+Senneby 2013), Titans (Kabosh, 2012), Monsters, Dinosaurs (Abbey Theatre, 2011), Get Gaddafi (Tinderbox, 2011), The Sign of the Whale (Tinderbox, 2010), The Joy (and Roy) of Irish (Kabosh, 2010), The Virgin Father (Tinderbox, 2009) and Weirdwolf (Tinderbox, 2008).

He has had several radio productions: Hearing Voices (BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play, 2011), Wigs on the Green (a six-part series co-written with John Murphy on RTE radio, 2010), Food of the Blue (Radio 4 Afternoon Play, 2009), Moonmen (BBC Radio 3, 2008), The Last Words of Van Helsing (BBC Radio 7, 2007), The Ballad of Shane O’Neill (Radio 4 Afternoon Play, 2006), Cemetery Sunday (Radio 4, 1995).

He has written for feature films, written and directed short films, scripted TV drama and produced and directed factual TV. 

Awards include: Stewart Parker Major Bursary (The Sign of the Whale), shortlisted for Meyer Whitworth Award (The Sign of the Whale), shortlisted for King's Cross Theatre Award (Weirdwolf), Special Commendation Imison Award (The Ballad of Shane O'Neill), BBC Northern Lights short film award (Heroes), RTE/Galway Film Centre Short Film Award (Crossing), BBC Radio 4 First Bite Award (Cemetery Sunday), Finalist in the BBCNI Tony Doyle Award, NI Arts Council ACES award, NI Arts Council SIAP award.

Dr Jimmy McAleavey is currently Lecturer in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre/School of English. He convenes the MA in Creative Writing (Scriptwriting) and teaches Year 2 and Year 3 undergraduates.

Inspired by Seamus Heaney’s last written words in a text message to his wife, a sign on his door reads: ‘Noli Timere’ – Do Not Be Afraid.  Do not be afraid to write.  Do not be afraid to rewrite.  Do not be afraid to share your work with others.  Do not be afraid to knock on this door.’

Contact :  +44 (0)28 9097 3818

Email:  j.mcaleavey@qub.ac.uk