Dervla Kirwan began working professionally as a stage actress in her native Ireland while still in her teens; after leaving school, she moved to London and began alternating her stage work with regular film and television appearances. She first gained widespread notice with her role as World War II-era barmaid Phoebe in the time-travel romantic comedy "Goodnight Sweetheart" in 1993, although she left the role halfway through the popular series' six-year run to play pub landlady Assumpta Fitzgerald in the small-town Irish drama "Ballykissangel." Kirwan has worked steadily in stage, television, and film, including a starring role opposite fellow "Ballykissangel" alum Colin Farrell in Neil Jordan's acclaimed 2009 drama "Ondine."