Barry Keoghan made heartfelt comments about fatherhood on Sunday, just two months after hitting back at a ‘ᴅᴇᴀᴅbeat dad’ label.

The 32-year-old Saltburn actor opened up about his parenting journey with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy as they launched Children’s Care, a new initiative advocating for global improvements in child welfare.

Becoming a dad to his two-year-old son Brando made Barry realize the effort parenting takes, while also prompting him to reflect on his late mother, who pᴀssed away when he was 12 after struggling with substance abuse.

‘As I’ve got older and I had my own son, I realized that it was such hard work for her and my father,’ he explained. ‘And luckily there was a good care system there, which is mᴀssively important.’

After losing his mother and moving through 13 foster homes, the Hollywood heavyweight, who shares Brando with his ex Alyson Kierans, said he now uses his platform to raise awareness about children’s issues and social care.

‘You can use your platform and profile to shine light on things, and anything to do with kids and care, I’m always wanting to help and shine a light on it, and get attention to it’ he said.

Barry Keoghan, 32, made heartfelt comments about fatherhood on Sunday, just two months after hitting back at a ‘ᴅᴇᴀᴅbeat dad’ label; seen in May 2024

Becoming a dad to his two-year-old son Brando, whom he shares with his ex Alyson Kierans, made Barry realize the effort parenting requires, while also prompting him to reflect on his late mother, who pᴀssed away when he was 12 after battling substance abuse

Later, in an emotional speech, Barry added, ‘The Foreign Secretary is such a wonderful man, and together we both can share our stories and upbringing by coming together to do everything we can to make sure all care systems function in the interest of children around the globe, and that no child is left behind.’

The campaign launch comes after Barry publicly addressed accusations of being an absent father, which had surfaced online. 

During a previous interview on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Sabrina Carpenter’s ex expressed his frustration with the ‘slander; he’s faced regarding his parenting. 

Read More The tragic past that ‘haunts’ Barry Keoghan as he hits back at trolls targeting his family

‘If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength to have, I wouldn’t be sitting here,’ he said, firmly defending his role as a father. 

‘Of course, (my childhood) is going to affect me being a father when I had no blueprint to take from. People just read that (as) laziness and go, “Oh, that’s no excuse to be an absent father.” I’m not an absent father.’

He continued, ‘Just the audacity of some people, man. It sickens me, makes me furious. I’ve been off it (social media) because when I’m going through a role, I’m getting into character. I stay away from the internet. 

‘But, again, when I’ve got a bit of time, I am a curious being like all of us, and you want to know what people are saying online—especially when it’s slander and bad comments attacking my appearance or attacking me as a father.’

Barry, who grew up in Summerhill, Dublin, endured a difficult childhood, moving through over ten different foster homes before finding stability with his grandmother.

‘As I’ve got older and I had my own son, I realized that it was such hard work for her and my father,’ he explained. ‘And luckily there was a good care system there, which is mᴀssively important’ 

The Oscar-nominated actor was just 12-years-old when his mother Debbie died from a heroin overdose and he had no relationship with his father

The actor acknowledged his upbringing has impacted the way he parents his child but pushed back against claims he is an absent dad

The Saltburn star and his now ex-girlfriend Alyson (pictured) welcomed their son in August 2022

He’s often described the experience as something that still ‘haunts’ him. 

‘You don’t forget waiting on the social worker’s steps and waiting for the new family to come and play with you in the playground they have in the office and see if it’s going to work, and then go with them to a whole new area and a whole new home,’ he recalled. “And you know, the car journeys there, and they’re the things that haunt. I don’t blame her. It’s a sickness.”

In a conversation with The Sunday Times, Barry revealed that he prays to his mother every day, even 19 years after her death. 

He shared that while her pᴀssing ‘wasn’t a shock,’ it still left an indelible mark on him.

Barry has also spoken about how acting helped him cope with the trauma of his early years.

Initially pursuing boxing and football, he eventually found his true calling in acting, going on to star in major films like The Eternals and The Batman before earning widespread acclaim for his role as Dominic Kearney in The Banshees of Inisherin.

Through his career and personal journey, Barry has become a powerful advocate for children’s welfare and a living testament to resilience.