Born in Redhills, Co. Cavan, Ireland. In addition to writing, Connaughton has also worked as an actor, training at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Notable writing credits, alone or in collaboration, include THE DOLLAR BOTTOM (1980), EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY (1983), MY LEFT FOOT (1989), "The Lilac Bus" (1990, TV), "Murder in Eden" (1991, TV mini-series), THE PLAYBOYS (1992), O MARY THIS LONDON (1994), RUN OF THE COUNTRY (1995, also novel & assoc. prod.), "The Blackwater Lightship" (2004, TV), and TARA ROAD (2005).  Nominated for Writing - Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium 1989: MY LEFT FOOT (w. Jim Sheridan) 1 nomination