This summer, through the Gold Star Careers series, 16 remarkable Laois people generously shared the stories behind their success.
From early career choices to pivotal moments, challenges overcome, and advice for the next generation, each conversation offered a unique insight into the many different paths a career can take.
The series has featured high-profile figures across a range of industries – from entrepreneurs and educators to poets, animators, broadcasters, brewers, fashion designers, sports stars, and even the first ever Laois-based International Rose of Tralee.
What shines through is the extraordinary reach of Laois talent – from world stages and Olympic arenas to classrooms, farms, businesses, and boardrooms.
Laois truly punches above its weight, and these 16 are proof of that. And of course, this is only the beginning.
So many more stories remain to be told, and I look forward to picking up where I left off next summer.
Rounding off this inspiring summer series is one of Laois’s most celebrated exports: acclaimed actor, author, activist, and Hollywood favourite Robert Sheehan.
Ask the Portlaoise native about certainty, and he’ll tell you he’s never really had it.
Yet that openness to possibility has fuelled one of the most dynamic and inspiring careers of his generation.
From school plays in Portlaoise to stages and screens across the world, Sheehan has become one of Ireland’s biggest international stars – an actor, author, and outspoken humanitarian with a truly global presence.
Best known for unforgettable roles like Klaus Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy, Nathan Young in Misfits, and Darren Treacy in Love/Hate, he continues to captivate audiences with characters that blend humour, vulnerability, and intensity.
Right now, Sheehan is as busy and visible as ever. He recently starred in the fantasy epic Red Sonja, features in the BBC’s Accused – the BBC anthology newly rediscovered after joining Netflix’s Top 10 – and is preparing to lead Grown Ups, a highly anticipated adaptation of Marian Keyes’ bestselling novel.
Alongside his screen success, Sheehan has also built an impressive stage career. Among many more, he took on the demanding role of Richard III in Trevor Nunn’s The Wars of the Roses, played Christy Mahon in The Playboy of the Western World at London’s Old Vic, and stepped into the iconic role of Withnail in Withnail and I at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
These performances underline both his range and his love for live theatre, something he has said he intends to return to in the years ahead.
But Robert Sheehan’s creativity extends far beyond acting. He is also a published author.
His debut short story collection, Disappearing Act, revealed a sharp and imaginative voice, while his more recent memoir, Playing Dead: How Meditation Brought Me Back to Life, explores his journey with mindfulness, fame and self-awareness.
Off-screen, Robert is a passionate advocate for global justice, regularly using his platform to speak out on humanitarian issues, from climate change and refugee rights to the crisis in Gaza, and the importance of empathy in public discourse.
His journey hasn’t been without doubts – he’s spoken openly about moments when he nearly gave up, only to be talked round by his father; and of how he was inspired by mentors like his Portlaoise St Paul’s CBS primary school teacher the late Richard Booth, who made him feel like anything was possible.
This feature traces Robert’s journey – the lessons learned, the roles that shaped him, the challenges overcome, and the boundless creativity that continues to define one of Ireland’s most remarkable stars.
A fitting finale to a series that has celebrated the extraordinary reach of Laois talent. A fitting way to close a series that has celebrated the global impact of Laois talent.
1 – What was your very first job, and what did it teach you?
Stacking sods of turf down in the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks.
I was seven years old and we were out the whole day. It taught me that it’s very important to keep my back straight when bending over.
2 – Did you always know you wanted to work in this field, or did your career path evolve over time?
I have never had the luxury of living with certainty about anything.
When I was younger, I’d look around at other kids my own age and project a sense of completeness onto them, and at the same time feel a sense of morbid worry, about the fact that I didn’t know what I was supposed to do/be.
All I wanted to do when I was a kid was hang around with my friends, playing football, making plays playing music were all good excuses to do that.
3 – Was there a turning point or moment that shaped your career most significantly?
No, in truth. When I look into the past it all feels like one happening.
4 – What’s one challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
I remember in 2016 I came close to getting an acting job in a tv series that I had become prematurely overly attached to.
I did a dizzying amount of auditions, the last one having about 12 exec looking people in the room.
I came away from that room thrilled, thinking that it had gone so well I’d definitely got the job.
When I didn’t get the job, I rang my father full of doubts and talking about quitting acting altogether.
Thankfully I have awesome parents, and he very patiently and encouragingly talked me round.
5 – How important were education and qualifications in getting to where you are today?
What lasts long in the memory is not the content of my education, it’s the ones who conveyed the contents with great personal passion.
The people who bring this to the contents of our school syllabus are the true education.
By copying these inspiring people and trying to be one, finding what you love and in a sense becoming it, it means everything to where I am today.
6 – What does a typical day look like in your role—or is there no such thing?
There is no such thing really. This morning I was up at 5.45am, walked the dog, got picked up to go to set at 6.15am. Finished acting by 1pm.
Home and had a nap. Chatted to my Missus, did jobs on the computer, steamed some siu mai dumplings and boiled some noodles, then out the doggy park with His Majesty Ruairí Feldman (dog).
7 – Who inspired or mentored you along the way, and what did you learn from them?
Richard Booth was a great singing teacher we had in St Paul’s primary school Portlaoise.
He was one of those passionate people that, through his encouragement, made you feel like you could do anything.
8 – What advice would you give to Leaving Cert students who aren’t sure what they want to do yet? Or to adults seeking a career change?
Like Shakespeare said, “Know Thyself” and all the external stuff becomes clear.
My way is meditation (sitting still and having a look at the activity).
9 – If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Don’t be so quick to judge other people, my snap judgements of others were 100% wrong.
And also give meditation a chance to unfold in you.
10 – What’s next for you—any goals, projects, or new challenges on the horizon?
I want to write with other writers more. I love the unlimited imagination space of throwing ideas around with a writer I admire and can learn from.
I want to make more of my own stuff. I want to plant many forests. I want to travel more of the world. The list is endless.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it together.
A heartfelt thank you to the 16 inspiring interviewees for sharing their stories – your words of wisdom will have a lasting impact.
And thank you to the readers who followed along and supported the series. You can revisit all 16 interviews here.
Martina Mulhall, Gold Star Careers offers one-to-one or small group career advice, in-person or online, to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Follow on Instagram for updates and reminders about all things careers, or head over to the website to book a personalised guidance session.
