“SEVEN POUNDS, 12 OUNCES.” A good sized baby, but a small turkey, as any fan of classic Irish film The Snapper will know.
Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, The Snapper tells the story of the Curley family, who become the talk of the town when it’s discovered daughter Sharon is pregnant.
As is customary every Christmas, The Snapper was on TV last night – during which the adult Baby Georgina revealed herself to the world in a tweet.
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Her name is Aisling Conlan, she’s from Howth, and – wait for it – she’s 22 years of age now.
She told DailyEdge.ie that she made her acting debut when she was just three days old:
I was born on November 22 1992 in Holles Street Hospital. My mother came out of the bathroom and a random man was standing by my cot. She was like “Who the hell is this guy?”
He told her he was doing a movie with Roddy Doyle and was looking to cast a baby – the nurses had recommended me as a beautiful baby, because I had cute dimples. [My parents] were wary but they signed up for it, as he seemed like a nice man!
Baby Aisling was taken to the set at the army hospital in Phoenix Park where she spent a few hours filming, and was paid rather handsomely for her duties.
There were two babies used for the part – the second baby, Alannagh McMullan, handled the birth scenes, while Aisling is the one you see in the family visiting scenes.
“My dad says I was paid £300, which was decent enough at the time,” she said. “My mum donated it back to Holles Street Hospital.”
She later met author Roddy Doyle as a primary school pupil, when he came to visit older students:
I was brought up to the library and got my copy of The Snapper signed. He thanked me for all my work, but like, all I really did was lie there!
“So many cool people were involved in it, so it’s great to say I had a part in it,” Aisling said. “Every time it’s on I get about 20 texts from friends to say they saw me.”
Despite this, she decided not to pursue a career in the entertainment business – Aisling is a member of the Irish canoe slalom team, and is currently training for Rio 2016.
[The Snapper] was the beginning and end of my acting career. I spend around 20 hours a week training on the water and in the gym – I’ve been very fortunate to represent Ireland in world championships, European championships and Olympic test events for London 2012.
But here’s the all-important question – what size baby was she really?
“I was actually born early at only six pounds. I was a very small baby.”
