Barry Keoghan has said he doesn’t have a ‘normal relationship’ with his two-year-old son, Brando, because he ‘didn’t have a father figure’ growing up.
The 31-year-old spoke about fatherhood in relation to his upcoming role in the film Bird, where he plays a single father.
As young children the Bafta winning Saltburn actor and his brother were shunted around 13 different foster homes as their heroin addict mother struggled to look after them, before being left orphaned when she died from pneumonia. His father left when he was young.
He was expelled from school because his ADHD meant he was ‘constantly messing around’ and with his future looking bleak, Barry then 11, and his older brother Eric were finally taken in by their mother’s sister, Lorraine.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, about his two-year-old son he shares with ex-girlfriend Alyson Kierans, he said: ‘I’ll just say this — I didn’t have a father figure growing up, so even my relationship with my son isn’t quite of the normal father-son relationship’.
Since becoming a father in 2022, Barry Keoghan has received mixed views on his role as a father with some critics questioning his involvement in his son’s upbringing
Barry pictured today attending Burberry ‘s Spring/Summer 2025 show at Southbank’s National Theatre during London Fashion Week
The remark come amid trolling from fans who said the star hasn’t been involved enough in the raising on his son, Brando.
The Irish star, who is dating popstar Sabrina Carpenter, became a father in August 2022 while on shooting the now cult film, Saltburn.
He shares Brando with his former partner, Alyson Kieran, a dentist whose father is from County Cavan.
Just months after getting together he broke the news that the couple were expecting a baby, however they split in July last year after two and a half years.
At the time of their split, The Sun reported the pair were ‘determined to do the best for their son….They’ve grown apart over recent months and things have finally come to a head….As far as she’s concerned, it’s over.’
Shortly after his breakup, Barry was rumoured to be dating the popstar, Sabrina, towards the end of 2023 after being spotted going for dinner in London.
Last month, the Irish heartthrob shared a rare insight into the relationship he shares with his son, snapping up a selfie with the two year old
Sabrina and Barry’s relationship were first rumoured to be dating at the end of 2023
The Saltburn star and his now ex-girlfriend Alyson Kierans (pictured) welcomed their two year old son in August 2022
Since then, the actor has appeared in a music video of his new girlfriend’s, marking their romance official.
After the end of his relationship to the mother of his child, the actor came under fire from critics, with some arguing that he is a ‘deadbeat dad’, and that he doesn’t spend enough with his son.
During an interview for GQ, the actor admitted that he had only been allowed one when his son was born, joking that it was ‘good on them’, to allow him the 24 luxury of fatherhood.
‘I feel an enormous amount of pressure, which is good. And I can’t get the little boy off my mind. It’s beautiful. Y’know, it’s crazy, but when he looks at you, you feel like the most important person in the world.
‘It was probably the best time of my life, to be quite fair. Havin’ a baby boy, and leadin’ a movie. It was the best time of my life, I must say – yeah,’ he said, before adding that his ex was an ‘incredible mother.’
Last month, the Irish heartthrob shared a rare insight into the relationship he shares with his son, snapping up a selfie with the two year old.
The father-son duo looked nearly identical with matching bright blue eyes. Barry captioned the picture: ‘He’s more of a charmer than I am. Our wee Brando.’
Barry shared the first photo of his back in September 2022, an adorable black and white snap of the pair together but has largely kept his son out of the limelight
The picture sparked further debate about Barry’s involvement with his son, with many questioning why he doesn’t share more pictures of the two together
The picture sparked further debate about Barry’s involvement with his son, with many questioning why he doesn’t share more pictures of the two together.
Commentary on Barry’s involvement in fatherhood has been ongoing for a number of months, with his Instagram post sparking further debate.
At the time of the post, one joked: ‘When the break up so bad you have to reconnect with your kid’ following rumours of his split with the the singer, Sabrina Carpenter, which have since been denied.
Criticism about his involvement with Brando were further ignited after eagle eyed fans spotted his former girlfriend had liked a number of Instagram comment that referred to raising children alone.
One comment, which was liked by Alyson, read: ‘More appreciation for mothers raising their kids practically by themselves. My mom was my hero!!! You’re already his hero too.’
She even liked another comment which praised her for ‘doing it all herself’.
Earlier today, the actor was spotted attending Burberry‘s Spring/Summer 2025 show at Southbank’s National Theatre during London Fashion Week.
It marked his first Burberry show since he was named a brand ambassador for the fashion house in March this year.