A young actor living in Duleek has spoken about how recovery, grief and creativity helped shape a new short film based on his own life experiences.
Cian Doyle, originally from Coolock in Dublin, is currently finalising his short film Bereavement, which tells the story of two brothers dealing with the loss of their mother in very different ways.
The film reflects much of Cian’s own journey following the death of his mother Cathy, who died by suicide last July aged 52.
Now two years sober, Cian says the process of writing and creating the film became a way of coping with grief in a healthier and more constructive way.
“Bereavement is a personal story to me and depicts two sides of grief,” he said.
“When I lost my mother, I jumped straight into creativity to channel my grief and wrote this film over the Christmas period.
“It’s who I used to be and who I am today. Who I am today deals with things in a more healing way, whereas a few years ago, I would’ve dealt with my loss in a more destructive way with alcohol and drugs.”
Cian sought help through the Red Door Project in Drogheda, which supports people dealing with addiction, and credits the service with helping him turn his life around.
He said his mother struggled with depression and alcohol abuse throughout much of his life and that her death came at a time when he believed things had been improving.
Cian decided to pursue acting in 2019 and later studied at Bow Street Acting Academy in Dublin in 2024 after leaving alcohol and drugs behind him.
Part of that journey also included advice from Irish actor Barry Keoghan, who Cian contacted on Instagram looking for guidance about becoming an actor.
“I couldn’t believe it when he replied,” Cian said.
“He told me to go to The Gaiety and to Bow Street. He also told me to pick a scene from a film that I really liked and record myself doing it differently. He told me to act with my eyes.”
“He gave me some great advice. I’m on the up ever since.”
Since then, Cian has completed a six month course at Bow Street and has already worked alongside actors including Martin McCann and John Connors.
He hopes Bereavement will not only tell an honest story about grief and addiction, but also encourage conversations around mental health, recovery and healing.
