But Lansbury's story unfolded in an era when families had far fewer resources and much less public understanding of adolescent addiction.
She later explained that she and Shaw did not know where to turn for help.
That helps explain why moving seemed so important to them.
They could not control what was happening in California.
But they could control where their family lived.
They could change the social environment.
They could remove access to some of the people and situations that had contributed to the problem.
And they could spend more time with their children.
A Difficult Recovery
The move did not instantly solve everything.
Lansbury was clear about that.
She later said Anthony recovered from his destructive habits relatively quickly after the move, while Deirdre took longer.
That difference is significant because it shows that the Irish relocation was not a magical cure.
The family still had to deal with the consequences of what had already happened.
Recovery was gradual.
The children had to establish different routines and relationships, while Lansbury and Shaw had to rebuild their family life around them.
According to accounts based on Lansbury's later interviews, both children eventually moved forward with their lives. Anthony went on to work in the entertainment industry, including directing and television work. Deirdre later married and became involved in the restaurant business.
The outcome was therefore very different from the future that Lansbury had feared.
Ireland Became More Than a Temporary Escape
Although the initial move was driven by crisis, Ireland eventually became an important part of Lansbury's life.
She and Shaw did not simply regard County Cork as a place they had visited during a difficult year.
The family developed a lasting connection with the area.
Lansbury continued returning to Ireland throughout her life and later maintained a home in County Cork. She repeatedly spoke about the sense of peace and security she associated with the country.
In interviews, she described Ireland as a place where she could walk around without being constantly recognized.
That anonymity was valuable.
For an actress whose face had become familiar around the world, being treated simply as another person could be liberating.
In Ireland, she was not necessarily “Angela Lansbury, movie star.”
She could simply be herself.
The contrast between celebrity and ordinary life became an important part of her connection to the country.
The Family Eventually Rebuilt Its Future
Angela Lansbury's children did not remain trapped in the problems of their adolescence.
Anthony went on to establish a career behind the camera, including work as a director. He also later worked with his mother on Murder, She Wrote. The Los Angeles Times reported in 1985 that he was working with Lansbury as a dialogue coach and was considering directing episodes of the series.
Deirdre also moved forward with her life.
By the early 1990s, the Los Angeles Times reported that she and her husband were living in Southern California and operating an Italian restaurant.
These later developments provide an important perspective on the family crisis.
The children were not defined forever by what happened to them as teenagers.
Their lives continued.
Their careers and families developed.