RTE radio listeners have fumed at comments made by Helen Mirren which detailed her memory of seeing 'shoeless kids’ in poverty-stricken Dublin.
The Oscar winning actress was on the Ryan Tubridy Show on Friday to promote her new film, The Duke.
Chatting to guest host Oliver Callan about the inspiration behind her character, who is described in the film as a ‘an Irish rose’ she said she didn’t intentionally draw inspiration from Ireland.
But said she had never seen poverty like what she had witnessed whilst filming a film in Ireland in the 1970s/80s.
Asked if there was an ‘Irish Mammy’ inspiration behind her portrayal, the Londoner said: “No, not deliberately, absolutely not.
“But certainly the poverty in the North of England. I was in Dublin and made a film with John Boorman, Excalibur, was made in Ireland in, gosh you’d have to tell me the year, it was probably in the 70s. I can’t remember now.”
The 76-year-old then got listeners rattled as she recalled the scenes of poverty during her stay.
“I saw kids without shoes in Dublin at that time.
“There was incredible poverty in Dublin in that era and that sort of poverty, which I hadn’t witnessed before coming from…I didn’t grow up in a wealthy family, far from it.
“I remember my mum looking in her purse at the end of the week trying to find enough money to buy food and we didn’t have central heating or washing machines or cars or anything.
“But that kind of poverty, I had never seen before, that I saw in Dublin. And that was the kind of poverty that I think you would see in Northern towns in Britain at that time.”
The star's claims triggered a debate amongst listeners, as some agreed, whilst many others fumed that she was over-exaggerating.
Oliver said: “Returning to Helen Mirren because the thing she said about Dublin and seeing the shoeless kids on the street has people very exercised. “
One listener texted into the show, saying: "Helen Mirren, No shoes on children in the 70s in Dublin? Could this be right? I definitely had shoes. And it was made in the 80s"
Another said: "I am 68. I've never seen anyone young or old out in public without shoes in Dublin or anywhere in this country, apart from on the beach."
As others debated the year in question, Oliver jokingly added: "Someone else said ‘it was 1979 or so’, yeah memory is not a very reliable witness.”
“So in fairness to Helen Mirren she is painting a picture that it was grim and dreary in Dublin, of that we can all agree.”
Opposing that, another Dubliner texted: "Inner city Dublin was a depressing dreary place in the late 70s and 80s"
Also defended the acting star’s comments, another added: “I moved to Dublin from Letterkenny in 1970 and shoeless children begging on O'Connell's bridge was common.”
Whilst many shared love for the star, saying “Great hearing Helen, I really enjoy watching her films.”
Excalibur, which was released in 1981, had a big Irish cast of Liam Neeson , Gabriel Byrne and Ciarán Hinds, who bagged his first Oscar nomination earlier this week.
Crediting the crew on the job, Helen added: “I mean amazing, all of those actors have become huge stars. So fascinating.”
Her latest flick, the Duke - produced by Nicky Bentham, is a true story which tells the story of Kempton Bunton, a retired driver from Benwell who allegedly stole Francisco Goya's portrait.
Starring Academy Award winners Jim Broadbent and Helen, The Duke was directed by late Bafta winner Roger Michell, famous for Notting Hill, from a screenplay by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman.
