Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Fatherhood Struggles and the Parenting Lessons He Learned from Cillian Murphy

In a heartwarming exchange of fatherhood wisdom, acclaimed actors Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan have forged a bond not only through their shared Irish heritage and successful film careers but also through their experiences as fathers. Murphy, known for his roles in Oppenheimer (2023) and Dunkirk (2017), and Keoghan, celebrated for his performances in Saltburn (2023) and The Banshees of Inisherin (2022), have both reached significant milestones in their personal lives as parents. Their paths intersected once again when Keoghan, a new father, turned to Murphy for guidance.

Keoghan, who welcomed his son Brando in 2022 with his then-partner Alyson Kierans, has openly shared the challenges he faced growing up without a consistent father figure. Having lost his mother to heroin addiction at a young age and spending much of his childhood in foster care, Keoghan was without the fatherly role models that many rely on. This difficult upbringing has led the young actor to seek advice from those who have navigated fatherhood, with Murphy being one of the key figures he turned to.

Cillian Murphy, a father to two teenagers, Malachy (17) and Aran (16), brings a wealth of parenting experience to the table. His grounded approach to fatherhood, shaped by years of raising children, allowed him to offer invaluable advice to Keoghan, who was in the early stages of fatherhood. In a 2023 interview with Sunday Times Style, Keoghan shared how Murphy, along with fellow actor Colin Farrell, played pivotal roles in shaping his understanding of fatherhood. He acknowledged the absence of a model for his own experiences, saying, “You want to have some fatherhood of your own to base it on and I don’t, so I take advice off people like Cillian and Colin a lot.”

While specific details about Murphy’s advice remain private, the trust and camaraderie shared between these two Irish actors highlight the importance of seeking wisdom from those who have walked similar paths. The exchange seems to have been informal, perhaps shared in private conversations, with Keoghan speaking more about the emotional impact of fatherhood. He described the joy he feels when his son smiles at him, saying, “When your kid gives you that little smile it makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world. You’ve got to be there unconditionally for that little being.” This sentiment reflects the core of fatherhood that Murphy, with his years of experience, would no doubt relate to and offer advice on.

The media’s coverage of this exchange dates back to late 2023, with articles from Hello Magazine, WFMZ, and NZCity further emphasizing the connection between Keoghan and his celebrity dad peers, including Murphy and Farrell. However, as of April 2025, there have been no new public updates on their fatherhood conversations. The continued interest in the topic, however, underscores the public’s fascination with how famous fathers manage the demands of both their careers and their families.

This exchange between Murphy and Keoghan is particularly significant due to their shared Irish background and close-knit bond in the film industry. Their connection adds a layer of depth to the advice given, offering a sense of camaraderie between two men who have built successful careers while balancing their personal lives. Furthermore, the inclusion of Colin Farrell as another guiding figure in Keoghan’s fatherhood journey underscores the importance of community and support, especially for someone like Keoghan, who did not have a traditional father figure growing up.

In a world where parenting can often feel isolating, the mutual support offered by celebrity dads such as Cillian Murphy and Colin Farrell serves as a reminder that, regardless of fame or career success, the experiences of fatherhood are universal, and seeking guidance from others can provide the encouragement and wisdom needed to navigate the challenges of raising children.