Barry Keoghan Opens Up About How His Late Mother Haunts Him; ‘Screaming Through The Letterbox’ Begging For Money

As a fervent admirer of Barry Keoghan, it is impossible not to be moved by his poignant narrative of resilience and survival against all odds. His journey from the tumultuous streets of Dublin’s Summerhill to the silver screen is nothing short of extraordinary.


Barry Keoghan frequently discusses the hardships of his childhood, particularly the effects of his mother’s struggle with heroin addiction. Tragically, his mother lost her life to an overdose when he was only 12 years of age.

At the tender age of five, he along with his younger sibling Eric found themselves under the care of foster services. By the time Barry reached nine, they had resided in more than a dozen distinct homes. Despite the challenging circumstances, Barry has been candid about his journey, hoping to encourage others who might be going through similar experiences.

During a heartfelt conversation on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Barry Keoghan openly discussed his past, recalling vividly the saddest moment of his life: the day when they learned about their mother’s passing.

Barry explained that he and Eric had been brought up by their grandmother and aunt following their exit from foster care. They all resided in a compact two-bedroom dwelling situated in the economically modest district of Summerhill, Dublin. Barry recollects, “It wasn’t a good day; it was the most challenging day of my life… but it made me more resilient.

As a devoted admirer, let me share how Barry reminisced about his mother, painting her as radiantly beautiful, towering close to six feet. He opened up about the heartbreaking heroin epidemic that swept through Summerhill, claiming families like mine. Barry confided, “This menace snared my mom, it ensnared my uncle, who lost his life to it, and it ensnared my father too.

The actor found a strong connection with the movie “The Basketball Diaries,” which narrates Jim Carroll’s struggle with heroin addiction. He specifically remembered a poignant moment when Jim pleads for money from his mother during his withdrawal.

Barry shared that an analogous incident occurred in his personal life, stating, “In that film, he approached the front door, and this very scenario unfolded at my grandmother’s house.” He recounted, “I can still vividly remember being in bed as [my mother] shouted through the letterbox, asking for money… This image continues to linger with me.

Despite the memories associated with his mother’s addiction, Barry openly expressed that he harbors no anger or resentment towards her. He explained, “I don’t place blame on her. It’s an illness. She simply couldn’t care for us properly.” Barry recognized and addressed the societal prejudice surrounding addiction and the difficulties it created for his family.

My experiences in foster care have deeply marked me. I’ve found myself struggling with trust due to the constant shifts in my living arrangements. It’s heartbreaking when you bond with a family, only to be told, “It’s time for you to move on [to another foster home].

The instability he experienced significantly influenced how Barry perceived relationships, often leaving him hesitant to place trust in others. He put it simply: “I’ve always struggled to believe people when they say they love me, and I’ve never truly trusted the process.

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2024-11-05 14:38