Saoirse Ronan speaks perfect sense about the “fecking mess” of Brexit and the border

Paul Moore

Wise words.

In Saoirse Ronan’s latest film, Mary Queen of Scots, she plays a famous monarch (Mary) who was born in Scotland and raised in France, with a claim to the English throne.

In many ways, the star of Brooklyn and Atonement is perfect for the role as Ronan also has a fairly eclectic background. The three-time Oscar-nominated actress was born in the Bronx in New York to Irish parents, who then moved back to Ireland when she was a baby.

Since then, she has predominantly been raised in Dublin and in Carlow and despite what some TV stations/papers/broadcasters might say, she is unequivocally, 100% Irish, not British.

In fact, the cover of her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar had a slightly confusing headline when they stressed that her character in the film embodied ‘The Spirit of Britain’. At this point, Barry Keoghan wanted to remind the editors that Ronan is definitely Irish, as you can see below – but rather than dwell on another issue of nationality, it’s worth noting that the Lady Bird star spoke eloquently about Brexit, the border, and how shows like Derry Girls have influenced the conversation on these issues.

“I was watching RTÉ news and they were talking about the border – and it’s such a feckin’ mess,” said Ronan.

“One of my best friends, Eileen [O’Higgins, the actress, who she worked with in Brooklyn], is from Down, in Northern Ireland; even I didn’t fully appreciate what the reality of it was.”

Ronan also said that Lisa McGee’s beloved show Derry Girls is playing a timely role in reminding people that the border isn’t some invisible issue that’s solely being used for political currency, it’s a very real concern that will impact everyday life for the people of Ireland.

“Derry Girls handles the situation so brilliantly with humour; you have the girls going, ‘Och, there’s a bomb on the bridge and I can’t get my nails done now!’. And I asked Eileen if that’s what it was really like – soldiers coming on the bus? She said, ‘Yes, yes it was’. And I think no matter what side you’re on in the North, nobody wants to go back to that,” Ronan added.

Very true.

As Barry Keoghan said, Saoirse Ronan is “as Irish as they are”.