President Higgins leads tributes as Cillian Murphy wins Oscar

President Higgins leads tributes as Cillian Murphy scoops Best Actor Oscar

Simon Kelly

A great day to be Irish.

Irish president Michael D Higgins has congratulated Cillian Murphy after he became the first Irish-born actor to win the Best Actor award at the Oscars on Sunday night.

During his acceptance speech, the Oppenheimer star said he was a “very proud Irish man” and dedicated his award to peacemakers everywhere.

“We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb,” he said. “And for better or worse we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world. So I’d really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”

Taking to social media on Monday morning President Higgins wrote: “Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere.”

The president also congratulated Element Pictures, the Irish production company behind Poor Things, on their success on the night.

Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere. Congratulations too to @ElementPictures on the success of Poor Things
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 11, 2024

President Higgins leads tributes as Cillian Murphy scoops Best Actor Oscar

Many others paid tribute to the success of Murphy, including Screen Ireland, with Chief Executive Desiree Finnegan saying: “Throughout the years Cillian Murphy has delivered so many outstanding performances in Irish films, from Disco Pigs to the upcoming Small Things Like These and we look forward to working with him again in the future.

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

The Irish Film and Television Acadamy also posted a statement congratulating the Cork man: “A huge congratulations from the Irish Academy to Cillian Murphy on his historic Oscar win for Best Actor — his incredible career and performance in Oppenheimer have done his country proud.”

Tanaiste and fellow Cork man Micheál Martin also congratulated Murphy outside his alma mater St Anthony’s Boys National School, saying: “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.”

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 won out over some stiff competition from fellow nominees Colman Domingo (Rustin), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Bradley Cooper (Maestro) and Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction).

“I’m a little overwhelmed,” he said in his speech. “Thank you to the Academy. Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, it’s been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you’ve taken me on over the last 20 years. I owe you more than I can say. Thank you so much.

“Every single crew member, every single cast member on Oppenheimer, you guys carried me through. All my fellow nominees, I remain in awe of you truly.

“I want to thank my incredible team. Big shout out to Craig Bankey, Brendan Murphy, Mary Murphy, Yvonne McGuinness – my partner in life and art, my two boys Malachi and Aran – who are sitting up there, I love you so much.”

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