The manager of a Dublin youth club where Bafta-winner Barry Keoghan starred in one of his first drama roles has hailed the actor as a “fantastic role model” who is inspiring the next generation.
The 30-year-old Dubliner, who is also nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor along with Banshees of Inisherin co-star Brendan Gleeson, was praised after dedicating his Bafta win to Ireland and “the kids that are dreaming to be something from the area I come from".
Keoghan, whose mother struggled with drug addiction and died when he was a child, was placed with a dozen foster homes along with his brother before going to live with his grandmother.
Read more: Stunning sand portrait of Colin Farrell installed on iconic Banshees of Inisherin beach
Gillian Collins, operations manager at Belvedere Youth Club, where Barry was a member, thinks he is a good news story for the area. She said: “It’s amazing, it’s so positive. It’s great that the north inner city is out there in the media for positive news for a change, not all the negativity. It’s so inspiring.”
Keoghan joined as a young teen and starred as Link Larkin in their 2010 production of Hairspray The Musical – one of his first acting roles.
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