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EVERYONE KNOWS WELL about Neeson, Brosnan and the usual suspects, but some people are still surprised to find out that Michael Fassbender is an Irish lad.
So, in the spirit of the month of St Patrick, it got us thinking – are there any other secret Hollywood heads out there that hail from the best small country in the world in which to become famous?
Psst – we haven’t gone for just any old celeb who says they’re of “Irish descent”. Proven genealogical link or bust, we’re afraid.
1. Mischa Barton
Though best known for her rich California girl role in teen series The OC, Mischa Barton was actually born in London to an Irish mother, by the very Irish name of Nuala Quinn. Mischa’s grandfather on her mother’s side was actually an Irish professor at the University of Belfast. She says she’s an “Irish-English girl who grew up in New York”.
PA / Press Association
PA / Press Association / Press Association
2. Gene Kelly
The Golden Era dancing actor was born in Pittsburgh – but his maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Derry. Sure no wonder he had such a fine head of hair.
EMPICS Entertainment
EMPICS Entertainment
3. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay’s controversial father, Michael Lohan, was born in Galway. The carroty hair and freckles might have been a giveaway here, though.
AFF / EMPICS Entertainment
AFF / EMPICS Entertainment / EMPICS Entertainment
4. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was born in Washington, but his ancestors emigrated from Tyrone in Northern Ireland in 1875. Researchers found them to have been shoemakers originally named Cobane from the village of Inishatieve, near Pomeroy. Apparently Cobain himself thought his family came from Cork, though.
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AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
5. Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen’s mother, Mary-Ann Phelan, was born in Borrisokane in Tipperary. Sheen still maintains strong links with Ireland and holds Irish citizenship. At the end of the filming of The West Wing, he announced his plans to study English, philosophy and theology in NUIG in Galway in 2006. He was 65 at the time. He left NUIG after completing a semester.
Walt Disney’s great-grandfather, Arundel Elias Disney, emigrated to the New World from Gowran in Kilkenny, making Walt at Irishman by blood.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
7. Olivia Wilde
Though Wilde was born in New York, she has dual citizenship with the US and Ireland due to her father, journalist Andrew Cockburn, having been born and raised in Youghal in Cork. She also took her stage name “Wilde” from Oscar Wilde.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
8. Muhammed Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, bai. Muhammed Ali’s great-grandfather was from Ennis in Clare. His name was Abe Grady and he emigrated to Kentucky in the 1860s.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
9. Michelle Obama
Yep, we all know Barack himself can trace his people back to Offaly, but did you know his wife can too? Yes, her ancestry has been tracked as far back as an Irish slave owner who emigrated to America in the 1700s.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Who’s your favourite Irish-American export or do you reckon it’s all plastic paddywhackery? Let us know in the comments.
Saturday 2 November, 2024
Saturday 2 November, 2024
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9 people with unexpected Irish ancestry
EVERYONE KNOWS WELL about Neeson, Brosnan and the usual suspects, but some people are still surprised to find out that Michael Fassbender is an Irish lad.
So, in the spirit of the month of St Patrick, it got us thinking – are there any other secret Hollywood heads out there that hail from the best small country in the world in which to become famous?
Psst – we haven’t gone for just any old celeb who says they’re of “Irish descent”. Proven genealogical link or bust, we’re afraid.
1. Mischa Barton
Though best known for her rich California girl role in teen series The OC, Mischa Barton was actually born in London to an Irish mother, by the very Irish name of Nuala Quinn. Mischa’s grandfather on her mother’s side was actually an Irish professor at the University of Belfast. She says she’s an “Irish-English girl who grew up in New York”.
2. Gene Kelly
The Golden Era dancing actor was born in Pittsburgh – but his maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Derry. Sure no wonder he had such a fine head of hair.
3. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay’s controversial father, Michael Lohan, was born in Galway. The carroty hair and freckles might have been a giveaway here, though.
4. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was born in Washington, but his ancestors emigrated from Tyrone in Northern Ireland in 1875. Researchers found them to have been shoemakers originally named Cobane from the village of Inishatieve, near Pomeroy. Apparently Cobain himself thought his family came from Cork, though.
5. Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen’s mother, Mary-Ann Phelan, was born in Borrisokane in Tipperary. Sheen still maintains strong links with Ireland and holds Irish citizenship. At the end of the filming of The West Wing, he announced his plans to study English, philosophy and theology in NUIG in Galway in 2006. He was 65 at the time. He left NUIG after completing a semester.
6. Walt Disney
Walt Disney’s great-grandfather, Arundel Elias Disney, emigrated to the New World from Gowran in Kilkenny, making Walt at Irishman by blood.
7. Olivia Wilde
Though Wilde was born in New York, she has dual citizenship with the US and Ireland due to her father, journalist Andrew Cockburn, having been born and raised in Youghal in Cork. She also took her stage name “Wilde” from Oscar Wilde.
8. Muhammed Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, bai. Muhammed Ali’s great-grandfather was from Ennis in Clare. His name was Abe Grady and he emigrated to Kentucky in the 1860s.
9. Michelle Obama
Yep, we all know Barack himself can trace his people back to Offaly, but did you know his wife can too? Yes, her ancestry has been tracked as far back as an Irish slave owner who emigrated to America in the 1700s.
Who’s your favourite Irish-American export or do you reckon it’s all plastic paddywhackery? Let us know in the comments.
Read: Is the Irish accent actually the sexist in the world? >
Read: 11 ways to tell if you’re Irish… according to you>
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Celebrities Genealogy Ireland Irish ancestry Irish heritage Irish people who do ya think you are