Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Early Career Confidence Struggles

Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Early Career Struggles and Self-Doubt

Barry Keoghan has candidly shared his challenges and self-doubt during the early stages of his acting career. In a recent interview with the Daily Mirror, the Irish actor revealed how multiple rejections from drama schools shook his confidence after finishing school.

Keoghan recalled, “I did not get into any. I was lost. It was like having your confidence knocked out.” Despite these setbacks, Barry remained determined to pursue his passion for acting.

Following his role as Aido in the 2010 Irish crime film Between the Canals, Barry applied to several performing arts institutions but faced repeated disappointments. Eventually, he found his footing at The Factory—now known as Bow Street Academy in Dublin—a unique collaborative space rather than a traditional acting school. Barry described it as “a place of pure collaboration with an experimental approach.”

His persistence paid off when he landed a role in the acclaimed crime drama series Love/Hate in 2013, which marked the official start of his acting career in Ireland.

Barry Keoghan’s journey highlights the importance of resilience and self-belief in overcoming early career obstacles, inspiring many aspiring actors facing similar challenges.