Throughout his illustrious career, acclaimed Irish actor Cillian Murphy has garnered a remarkable array of awards and accolades. From gripping performances on the big screen to captivating portrayals in television series, Murphy’s talent has consistently left audiences in awe.
Behind this remarkable actor’s success stands a steadfast pillar of support: his wife, Yvonne McGuinness. Murphy is not only a master of his craft but also a devoted family man. Despite the allure of Hollywood, he consciously chose to remain rooted in London, where he was residing with his wife.
Murphy’s commitment to proximity with his loved ones speaks volumes about his priorities and values. In 2005, shortly after his breakout performance in the 2002 thriller “28 Days Later,” where he portrayed a man fleeing from zombies in a plague-stricken London, Murphy revealed how important it was for him to be close to his family.
He stated, “I don’t need to live in Los Angeles. I’d be tremendously far away from my family. I’d never see them. I love living in London.” As his career was rapidly gaining momentum, he was presented with a role in “The Wind That Shakes the Barley.” This opportunity brought him much joy as it allowed him to stay home with his family in Cork, Ireland.
At this time, his wife, McGuinness, was pregnant with their first child. To support her during this period, the couple decided to stay with Murphy’s parents. This arrangement provided a comforting family environment during McGuinness’s pregnancy and allowed Murphy to balance his work commitments with his growing family responsibilities.
Murphy nostalgically remembered this time: “I was living at home with my folks; my wife was pregnant with our son; and we were running around the hills of west Cork shooting up Black and Tans. Fantastic!” By 2015, the couple, now parents to two boys, Malachy and Aran, decided to return to their roots in Ireland.
They left behind Kilburn, a district in north-west London, which had been their home for over a decade. Their desire was for their children to experience childhood close to their grandparents and the calming influence of the sea.
Murphy elaborated, “We wanted them to be Irish, I suppose.” When Murphy was away for filming, McGuinness would stay with the kids, but she also occasionally contributed ideas to his work.
