Alicia Vikander confirms she and Killarney man Michael Fassbender have become parents

The Swedish actress announced her first child with the 300 star - whose mother hails from Antrim, and who spent his childhood in Co Kerry

Alicia Vikander has confirmed she welcomed her first child with husband Michael Fassbender earlier this year (Isabel Infantes/PA)

Alicia Vikander has confirmed she welcomed her first child with husband Michael Fassbender earlier this year.

The Oscar-winning Swedish actress, 32, told People magazine she and X-Men star Fassbender, 44, are now parents.

Alicia Vikander has confirmed she welcomed her first child with Michael Fassbender earlier thIs year (Ian West/PA)

Vikander, who is known for being fiercely private, said: “I now have a whole new understanding of life in general.

“That’s pretty beautiful, and obviously will give a lot to any of my work in the future.”

Vikander and Fassbender tied the knot in Ibiza in 2017.

They met in 2014 on the set of romantic drama film The Light Between Oceans, in which they played a husband and wife.

Vikander will next star in Blue Bayou, opposite Justin Chon who also wrote and directed the film.

Fassbender, who was born in Germany and grew up speaking Irish in Co Kerry, is known for roles in films including Shame, Steve Jobs and 12 Years A Slave.

He first began acting as a student at St Brendan's Secondary School in Killarney.  His family had owned the West End House restaurant in Killarney, and in April of this year had applied for planning permission to turn the building - most recently operating as a hairdressers - into an acting school.