Saoirse Ronan, an award-winning actress known for her roles in 'Atonement' and 'Lady Bird', joins director Greta Gerwig for a heartwarming conversation. They explore the connection between cooking and cultural identity, sharing nostalgic stories from their Irish heritage. Saoirse reveals her favorite family recipes and the emotional significance of meals. The duo reflects on indulgent past eating habits, friendship dynamics, and the impact of comfort food. Their banter adds a delightful touch, making it a feast for both the mind and soul.
38:38
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Irish Food in New York
Saoirse Ronan's parents maintained their Irish identity in New York, primarily through homemade meals.
Her mother would cook traditional Irish dishes like coddle, a type of stew, and even brought food to film crews.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Irish-American Community
Saoirse Ronan's father unexpectedly became an actor in Ireland, leading to a vibrant Irish-American community in their Bronx home.
Her mother cooked for everyone, including visiting actors, in their small apartment.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Return to Ireland
Saoirse Ronan's parents moved back to Ireland due to financial difficulties in New York and her father's acting career.
Her mother ensured Saoirse's US citizenship, giving her freedom they lacked and work took her dad back to Ireland.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The novel tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman from small-town Ireland who, in the hard years following World War II, leaves her fragile mother and charismatic sister behind to start a new life in Brooklyn. Sponsored by an Irish priest, Eilis finds work in a department store and begins evening classes in bookkeeping. She faces homesickness and culture shock but eventually finds love with Tony, an Italian-American. However, devastating news from Ireland forces her to make a critical decision between her old and new lives. The book is a quiet tour de force, exploring themes of self-determination, love, and the complexities of immigrant life.
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
Written by Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women' is a semi-autobiographical novel that details the lives of the March sisters in 1860s Massachusetts. The story is loosely based on Alcott's own childhood and that of her three sisters. It explores themes of domesticity, work, and true love, and is known for its portrayal of the sisters' distinct personalities and their struggles with societal expectations. The novel follows their experiences with poverty, illness, and personal growth, and it has been praised for its realistic and empathetic depiction of family life and the challenges faced by women during that era.
The outrun
Amy Liptrot
The Outrun is a memoir by Amy Liptrot that chronicles her return to Orkney, her childhood home, after more than a decade of battling alcoholism in London. The book combines nature writing with self-reflection, detailing her rehabilitation and newfound connection with the natural world. Liptrot describes her experiences tracking Orkney's wildlife, swimming in the icy Atlantic waters, and reconnecting with her parents. The memoir is praised for its honest and lyrical prose, offering a moving account of addiction, recovery, and the healing power of nature[2][3][6].
The other week, the director Greta Gerwig sat at my table, describing the unique experience of working with Saoirse Ronan — ‘Ruthie, you have to meet her.’
In a way, I feel like I’ve already met Saoirse through the intimacy of her award-winning performances in 'Atonement', 'Lady Bird' and 'Brooklyn', and her forthright interviews. Now, the three of us are here together at The River Cafe in person — Saoirse, Greta and I. We’re talking about food and cooking, Ireland, Saoirse’s garden, learning to eat spaghetti and much, much more.
Ruthie's Table 4 is made in partnership with Me+Em.
Ruthie's Table 4 
