Everything
Ireland has given us much to celebrate: Paul Mescal, Derry Girls, flavoured potato crisps, and plenty more. But one thing that they can’t quite claim is Ayo Edebiri.
Shooting to fame for her roles in projects like Bottoms and The Bear, Edebiri’s roots have been the butt of many a joke. So, why do people keep referring to her Irish connections? The story goes back to an interview the 28-year-old gave to Letterboxd at the premiere of Bottoms, in which she raved about her time living in Ireland to prepare for her role in the Martin McDonagh film The Banshees of Inisherin, a part she took very seriously and lived by for a time.
Only she wasn’t actually in the film, nor did she live in Ireland.
In the viral clip, Edebiri shows off an impressive Irish accent and riffs about her role as ‘Jenny the Donkey’ in the film—a role that doesn’t exist—and it drove the internet wild. What really made the bit was how she dipped in and out of her Irish accent, claiming she couldn’t help it anymore because of the “four months” she spent there.
@letterboxd No thoughts… just Ayo Edebiri as Jenny the Donkey #fyp #foryou #letterboxd #sxsw #ayoedebiri #movie #film #filmtok #bansheesofinisherin #irish
Since then, the Boston native has frequently joked about Ireland being her “home nation”, and the story has well and truly caught on. In fact, Irish people have gladly begun claiming Edebiri as their own, especially after her big Golden Globes win for ‘Best Actress in a Comedy Series’.
Film in Dublin joked, “Congratulations to Ireland’s own Ayo Edebiri for her nomination for the 2024 BAFTA Rising Star Award 🇮🇪,” on their Instagram, while The Irish Times has also penned a piece accepted the budding star as an honorary citizen.
Accepting her Critics Choice Awards win on January 14, the actress gave an IYKYK nod to the bit once again when she thanked her “real family” and everyone in “Boston, Barbados, Nigeria, and Ireland, in many ways” before letting out a giggle.
With the recent awards season, Edebiri has been cleaning up for her on-screen performances. If it’s the luck of the Irish to thank, then we’re happy to keep up the gag.
