Saoirse Ronan had a big celebration for her 21st birthday because she could drink

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan celebrated her 21st birthday in a big way in America, because she has been turned away from bars so many times.

The Brooklyn star has been drinking in pubs for years back home, because the age consent laws kick in earlier in Ireland and the U.K., but she has had to wait to sip booze in America, which has often been frustrating for The Lovely Bones actress.

And so when she turned 21 last April (15), she went wild.

"In Ireland we start drinking alcohol at, like, 12-years-old, so it's not a big thing," she told Live! with Kelly and Michael on Friday (15Apr16). "But, I've been working over here since I was young, so I've been turned away from bars and pubs.

"On on St. Patty's Day (St. Patrick's Day), I would get turned away. Even though I would be able to drink at home - not that you should drink alcohol, kids - I would get turned away."

Saoirse marked the age milestone by heading to last year's Coachella music festival in California, and then made her way to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland.

"When I was 21, I thought the only place I should go to to celebrate properly was America, to, like, rub it in America's face that I could drink alcohol," she continued. "So I went to Coachella, which was fun. I had never been to a festival before where there was sun.

"At home it always rains, you're always in the fields and up to your knees in mud (at festivals). And then I went to Disneyland and it was one of the best days of my life."

Saoirse didn't reveal if she would be returning to Coachella this year (16). The two weekend festival begins on Friday night (15Apr16).