One of Ireland's best-loved actresses, Tina Kellegher, has revealed she still gets catchphrases rolled out on the street from her most famous role in The Snapper.

The Westmeath star said she was delighted to be reunited with actress Ruth McCabe – who played her mother in the Roddy Doyle classic – in the new RTÉ series, Single-Handed.

The mother-of-two said she was very happy she was still recognised as pregnant mum Sharon Curley 18 years after the film was made.

"It's comforting that people can still recognise me as Sharon," she said

"It's lovely. It was very special. I have a big fondness for the character.

"People do still call the catchphrases to me on the street. It's mostly just fun although years ago in Dublin I remember if there was a gang of lads who were very drunk, I would cross the road.

"I remember being recognised on the subway in New York from The Snapper, which was very weird. There wasn't much filming at the time in Ireland and I didn't know how lucky I was.

"Colm Meaney and the rest of the cast were such a joy to work with. It is the role I'm most recognised for but I don't feel it is a monkey on my back at all."

And she said she got to reminisce with Ruth McCabe, who played her on-screen mum Kay Curley, when they filmed crime series Single-Handed in Connemara during the summer.

In an upcoming episode, Kellegher plays a solicitor who represents the estranged cousin of Sergeant Owen McDonnell as he makes a bid for the family land while Ruth McCabe plays the officer's mother, Eithne.

She said: "Ruth played my mammy in The Snapper. We had great catch-ups and walks on the beach. I play the local solicitor in Single-Handed and Ruth is Owen's mother, Eithne.

"We are both members of the secondary school council and my character represents her nephew Brian with regard to his claim on family land. We had a good few scenes together.

"My character is tough and can hold her own with any man. I met up with quite a few friends I have known for years on the shoot. It was lovely. I was staying in the Renvyle Hotel and shooting around Connemara so you can't really complain."

The actress also acted alongside her former co-star Lorcan Cranitch, who was her on-screen lover in Bally­kissangel in which she played the feisty barmaid Niamh.

She said: "There was a brilliant cast on Single-Handed. I know Lorcan for donkey's years and lots of the other actors. I get recognised over in England more for my character in Ballykissangel but over here it's The Snapper."