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Annual President’s Lunch 2026 | Celebrating Screen & Media

Date: 26/05/26
TIMINGS:

12:00PM – 2:30PM

Join us at this year’s President’s Lunch as we celebrate the incredible success of screen and media, featuring three of the most exciting creative talents: Lisa McGee, Roisin Gallagher and internationally recognised actor Emmett J. Scanlan.

Lisa McGee, creator of the hit series Derry Girls and writer behind How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, has become one of the most influential storytellers to emerge from Northern Ireland. Her work captures the humour, heart and spirit of local life while resonating with audiences around the world.

Joining her is Belfast actress Roísín Gallagher, celebrated for standout performances in The Lovers and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. Roísín brings depth, authenticity and emotional honesty to every role she takes on.

Also joining the line-up is Emmett J. Scanlan, whose acclaimed television and film credits include MobLand, Kin, Peaky Blinders and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. Known for his magnetic screen presence and commanding performances, Emmett has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading acting talents on the international stage.

We are delighted to welcome the exceptional Lynette Fay to host this event and together, they will take part in an intimate fireside chat, sharing insights into their careers, creative journeys, and the realities of working in the screen industry today. From writing and performance to navigating opportunities from Northern Ireland to the global stage, this conversation promises to be both inspiring and insightful.

In addition to this inspiring conversation, we will also feature a special live performance from the National Youth Choir, one of Northern Ireland’s leading youth music organisations, bringing together exceptional young voices for a powerful rendition of a musical theatre classic.

Ticket Prices: Member Ticket £120 + VAT | Non-Member Ticket £160 + VAT

Location: Crowne Plaza Belfast, 117 Milltown Road, Belfast, BT8 7XP

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Speakers & Panelists

Lisa McGee

Lisa's original comedy series DERRY GIRLS (Hat Trick/Channel 4) has been C4's biggest comedy launch since 2004 and has earned Lisa Emmy, BAFTA, IFTAs and RTS awards. The show ran for three series, concluding with an hour-long special in 2022. Lisa wrote all episodes and was an Executive Producer on the show. Her latest series HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST (Hat Trick/Netflix) launched in February 2026 to critical acclaim. She is currently developing a new original series with a streamer. She curated and wrote an episode of the BBC anthology series SKINT IN 2022. Her mini-series THE DECEIVED, co-created and co-written with Tobias Beer, aired on Channel 5/Virgin Ireland in 2020. Her original six-part sitcom LONDON IRISH, produced by Company Pictures for C4, premiered in 2013. Lisa has written episodes on series 1&2 of INDIAN SUMMERS for New Pictures/ C4 as well as THE WHITE QUEEN for Company Pictures/BBC1/Starz. She was a writer on series 2,3 &4 of the BAFTA-nominated BEING HUMAN (Touchpaper/BBC3). In 2008 Lisa created RAW, an original TV series for Ecosse/RTE, which ran for five series and earned her both IFTA and Zebbie nominations. Lisa is also a playwright. Her plays include JUMP! (later adapted for screen) and GIRLS AND DOLLS (Stewart Parker Award Winner; Susan Smith Blackburn Award runner up; Irish Theatre Award nominee) Lisa was the Writer on Attachment at the National Theatre London in 2006

Roisin Gallagher

Emmett J. Scanlan

Emmett plays series regular Paul in Guy Ritchie's MOBLAND (Paramount+) and stars in the Netflix thriller series HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST. Alongside this, he can currently be seen as Adam Fairley in Channel 4's A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE. Emmett also plays Jimmy Kinsella in the BBC/Netflix hit series KIN, a performance which saw him nominated for an IFTA Award. Also for Netflix, Emmett featured in two seasons of PEAKY BLINDERS opposite Cillian Murphy, and in Harlan Coben's FOOL ME ONCE. Other television credits include leading roles in three series of ITV's THE TOWER and opposite Anna Friel in BUTTERFLY for Hulu. On the feature side, Emmett stars in Amazon MGM's A WORKING MAN opposite Jason Statham and in Guy Ritchie's upcoming action thriller IN THE GREY alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill.

Lynette Fay

National Youth Choir NI

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