'The school is so, so proud of him': Tributes pour in for Cillian Murphy following Oscar win

Culture and Arts Minister Catherine Martin also congratulated the cast and crew of Poor Things, co-produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures

Cillian Murphy with his wife Yvonne, and sons Malachy and Aran at the Academy Awards. Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

The principal of a secondary school attended by actor Cillian Murphy said the Oscar win was an enormously proud moment not only for his Alma Mater but for Cork city.

David Barry of Presentation Brothers College (PBC) said he was so "pleased and proud" of the 47-year-old actor.

"He is a very talented actor and he has worked so very hard on his craft.

"We are all so delighted for him and for his family on his success. The school is so, so proud of him."

Speaking to the Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM, Mr Barry said the school plans to extend an invitation to the Ballintemple native to visit his former school at his earliest convenience.

A portrait of Cillian in his role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders is on display in the school in Mardyke Walk in Cork.

Whether he will find a gap in his busy schedule to come to the school - but we certainly will be extending an invitation to Cillian to come and visit the pupils here. We would be delighted if he could make the time."

Meanwhile, a former teacher of Cillian Murphy said it was obvious during his teenage years that he was born to act.

Cillian was taught English by poet William Wall, who said that he was delighted at the big win overnight.

Mr Wall subsequently left the school to focus on his poetry and became Cork’s first Poet Laureate in 2021. The novelist and poet previously told the Neil Prendeville show, on Cork's Red FM, that Cillian was a really good student of English.

“He was just one of those kids who got poetry, got Shakespeare and got novels. It wasn’t hard to teach him. I could also see from the fact that he was a performer — he had the band and they played in the school a couple of times.

Mr Wall said he knew that Cillian would end up in the creative world.

“He had to you know. When he went in to Law in college I was kind of surprised. Not surprised in that I knew he could be an excellent lawyer as well. I could see him being a performing barrister in the Four Courts in Dublin.

“He picks the scripts he wants to do. He is very careful about that and that is great. He is an actor’s actor," he said.

Mr Wall told the Irish Examiner: "I’m thrilled for Cillian. It’s a well deserved and long awaited recognition of his brilliant talent, his mastery of his art and his ability to inhabit his characters."

"I’m also thrilled for Cork and if I may suggest it, it’s time for a Freedom of the City or some other civic award and maybe an honorary doctorate from UCC, for the man who never finished his degree! I’m delighted for him and for Yvonne and the boys. The world is his oyster now."

Cillian Murphy said he was “overwhelmed” by the award and that he is “a very proud Irishman”.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has also congratulated Cillian Murphy on becoming the first Irish-born star to win an Oscar for best actor — while standing outside the actor's Cork primary school.

In a video shared to X, Micheál Martin paid tribute to his fellow Cork native, for his performance in the Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer, which will "stand the test of time".

Standing outside St Anthony's Boys National School, Ballinlough, Mr Martin shared his and the school's well wishes, adding they are "particularly thrilled" for the Oscar winner.

"The nation, as a whole all rejoice in a well-deserved Oscar award for Cillian Murphy," he said.

Absolutely thrilled & delighted that Cillian Murphy has won the Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer.

Richly deserved - a brilliant performance in an outstanding film that will stand the test of time. 

A very proud day for Cork & Ireland. Congratulations Cillian 👏 pic.twitter.com/pz847B6LuG

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 11, 2024

Murphy has also won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild award for his starring role as theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.

The 47-year-old, who was born in Douglas, Cork, said he was “overwhelmed” by the award and that he is “a very proud Irishman”.

A post from the account on X for President Michael D Higgins said: “Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere.” 

Culture and Arts Minister Catherine Martin also congratulated Murphy on his win.

Ms Martin said: “This award for his title role in Oppenheimer is the pinnacle of any actor’s career and a fitting recognition of the immense talent of Cillian Murphy.

Long a favourite of Irish audiences on stage and screen, he has since shown himself to be a master of his craft and has secured his place among the world’s greatest actors.

“This Oscar success is no more than he deserves and I wish him every success in all his future films.” 

She also congratulated the cast and crew of Poor Things, co-produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures, which secured 11 Oscar nominations and won four awards.

“2023 was a hugely successful year for Irish film production and Irish talent. I hope this Academy Award is a starting point for more success and acclaim for the large pool of talent existing in the Irish film industry,” she said.

Murphy’s breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later, playing a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to discover that the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society.

He also had roles in Breakfast On Pluto, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and Sunshine.

Desiree Finnegan, chief executive of Screen Ireland, said: “Sincere congratulations from everyone at Screen Ireland to Cillian Murphy on winning the Academy Award for best actor.

“We are delighted to see such a talented Irish artist receive worldwide recognition and critical acclaim for his extraordinary performance.

“Throughout the years Cillian Murphy has delivered so many outstanding performances in Irish films, from Disco Pigs to The Wind That Shakes The Barley, and more recently in Small Things Like These, and we look forward to working with him again in the future.

“We hope that the next generation of Irish filmmakers and artists watching Cillian bring his Oscar home will be inspired to continue the pursuit of their craft in the Irish film industry.” 

Ireland’s ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, said it was a “great night for the Irish”.

“Congratulations to the incredible Irish winners at Oscars 2024,” she tweeted.

“Great night for the Irish in Hollywood!

“Our own Cillian Murphy’s performance in Oppenheimer makes him the first Irish-born actor to take home the Oscar for Best Actor & Element Pictures take home four awards!”