This will make you feel incredibly proud of your Irish identity.
In the Harry Potter films, John Hurt’s character, Garrick Ollivander, is one of the very first characters to make the boy wizard feel like he truly belongs in a new magical world.
To a certain extent, J.K Rowling’s tale has some similarities with John Hurt’s own life, especially the that he spent living in Ireland, because the British actor has very strong feelings about his identity and place in the world.
The Oscar nominated actor lived in Co. Wicklow and Co Laois, and it’s clear that he had a deep love and affection for Ireland.
During an appearance on the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are?, Hurt seemed genuinely crestfallen after learning that his family lineage didn’t have any Irish blood.
In his own words, he says “I’m not who I believed I was. That really upsets me. I’m not going to dance with pleasure to find out that one of the bankers in my life isn’t true. Am I? One of the bankers in my life was my Irish identity. It’s very important to me.”
It’s clear that having an Irish identity meant a great deal to him. Hurt recalls a wonderful anecdote about his first visit to Ireland: “When I went to Ireland for the very first time, I felt that I was were I should be. I felt it was home”, he says.
When the interviewer suggests that this discovery shouldn’t alter his feelings, a visibly depressed Hurt says “Of course it does! It alters my feelings completely!”
Take a look at this clip below, it’s clear that Ireland meant a great deal to him.
May he rest in peace.
Clip via –MorbidsoSorbid
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