Alan's first role was as an extra on 'My Left Foot', aged 8.
He has a MA in Film Studies, and has completed Screen Skills Ireland Writer's Room Programs with Matthew Carnahan and Jeb Stuart. The later was done while also working his day job in Production Accounts on Vikings:Valhalla (yes, he can do words and numbers at the same time!). On top of all that, he's a musician, and can still act if called upon.
To put it another way, after that initial gig all those years ago, he never did get a real job.