'I'm a Dragon Flyer from Laytown'... Meath actor Clinton Liberty brings Irish spirit to ‘House of the Dragon’

Meath star Clinton Liberty, known for role in HBO’s fantasy television series 'House of the Dragon' caught up with Crossy from FM104 on the red carpet at the season three premiere of the show on 8th June.

The 'Normal People' actor said: “The amount of Gaelic football I was playing on the set of season three. Everyone is so serious all the time, so I got everyone to start playing football. They couldn’t really get the hang of Gaelic football properly, especially in the costumes, as they were playing in massive robes.”

Liberty was born and raised in Laytown, attending Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh and then Coláiste na hInse in Bettystown. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin and made his on-screen debut as a dancer in the 2016 coming-of-age film 'Handsome Devil'. He soon landed a role in Sally Rooney’s successful mini series 'Normal People' in 2020.

Speaking about his role in the 'House of the Dragon', he said: “It’s just crazy to think that I got this role when I was in Laytown in County Meath. When I auditioned for this, I wasn’t in London, I wasn’t in America. I was in my small home town of Laytown. It just goes to show that no matter where you are in the world, as long as you’re consistent and you follow your dreams, it can happen for you.”

When asked what it is like to go from Laytown Beach to the 'House of the Dragon' beach and returning home to Ireland from time to time, Liberty said: “It’s mad, I walk through Temple Bar and no one has ever stopped me before. Now, I go places with my family and people are stopping me for pictures. People ask me why I’m in Ireland, because they all think that I’m English because of my character on the show. I always have to tell them that I’m Irish. There’s no support like Irish support. I have a lot of gratitude.”

Liberty told FM104 that viewers can expect “a big war, a lot of dragon fighting and a lot of betrayal” from the new series of the show.

“I came in during season two, and when I watched season one I was fantasising that someday I could be a part of something like this. Imagine this lad from Laytown walking in, looking at these big sets and ships and castles and saying ‘I saw that on TV in my house!’ and now I’m here. I’m like a kid in a candy shop, I love flying the dragons on set. I’m a Dragon Flyer from Laytown! I’m so delighted to be here, genuinely.”

Catch Clinton as Addam of Hull in the new season of 'House of the Dragon', set to premiere on 21st June on HBO.