Following in the stead of his older brother Eamonn, Ciaran Owens found two major roles in 1999 releases that demonstrated his capabilities and versatility. The youngest of five brothers from County Cavan, the Irish lad made his screen debut in a bit role in Neil Jordan's acclaimed "The Butcher Boy" (1997), which starred Eamonn Owens. Additional work in television followed including roles in such popular Irish series as "Ballykissangel" and "Eureka Street". Director and star Anjelica Huston cast him as the second oldest son of her title character in "Agnes Browne" (1999). With his red hair, husky voice and innocent look, Owens perfectly embodied Frankie, the angelic looking boy with a devilish streak and a penchant for smoking and gambling. His character's association with the local loan shark serves as one of the major subplots in the film. Later that year, he earned further praise as another Frankie--narrator Frank McCourt from ages eight to 13--in the screen adaptation of McCourt's award-winning memoir "Angela's Ashes". In both films, Owens displayed a screen charisma and comportment that belied his years and bode well for his making the transition from child performer to adult actor.