Cillian Murphy's old schools 'thrilled' by Oscar win

Murphy had already won a Golden Globe and Bafta for his performance

The headmasters at Oscar winner Cillian Murphy’s former primary and secondary schools have spoken of their pride at the actor’s history-making achievement.

Murphy, 47, was named best leading actor for his acclaimed portrayal of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer on Sunday.

The Cork native’s win for Oppenheimer makes him the first Irish-born winner of the best actor award.

Presentation Brothers College principal David Barry said the school was “so proud” of the star’s global success.

Mr Barry says the school is delighted at Cillian Murphy's inspiring Oscar win

“Presentation Brothers College are delighted for Cillian and his family on his success in winning the Oscar,” he told the PA news agency.

“Hopefully when he’s back in Cork he might be able to visit us.”

A portrait, made by senior art students, of Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the actor’s character in Peaky Blinders, hangs in a school corridor.

His presence is still felt at the school and the actor never forgets where he has come from, the principal said.

“He’s always about for us really in our thoughts as the kids walk through the corridors every day.

“Your roots are really important and Cillian has worked abroad so often but really never forgets his roots and visits his parents regularly.

“Because he has such a busy schedule getting back to Ireland and Cork brings him back to who he is really,” he said.

His Oscar win will serve as further inspiration to the current crop of pupils, the headmaster said.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get. So if you put in the efforts you will get the rewards eventually, no matter what field you’re in," Mr Barry added.

The actor's former primary school had also wished their past pupil well, hanging a banner outside the school in the run up to the Oscars.

The principal of St Anthony's National School in Ballinlough said there were also scenes of jubilation among staff and pupils at Cillian's old primary school on Monday.

Seán Lyons told BBC News NI that the Oscar-winning actor was a pupil at the primary school from 1982-1988.

"None of the teachers who taught Cillian are still at the school but I have spoken previously with some of them who were fortunate enough to teach him," he said.

"They all described him as a incredibly bright, witty and just a remarkable young men who was a pleasure to teach.

"One particular teacher, called Denis O'Sullivan, was hugely influential on him and really encouraged him to reach his full potential."

Mr Lyons said Cillian wrote a letter to pupils back in 2015, telling them that they could do anything in life and to follow their passions.

"He is a role model for all the pupils here and proves that hard work really does pay off," Mr Lyons added.

"It really is a remarkable achievement to have a former pupil win an Oscar and proves the stars are the limit for our boys here."

Murphy said he was "a very proud Irishman standing here tonight" as he won best leading actor for Oppenheimer

Murphy’s historic win was lauded by the President of Ireland’s official X account.

Michael D Higgins account said it was “a wonderful achievement” that was “so appropriately dedicated to peacemakers everywhere”.

Ireland’s deputy premier Micheál Martin said that Murphy gave an “outstanding” performance in a film “that will stand the test of time”, while Irish culture minster Catherine Martin said the win was “no more than he deserves”.

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in BBC drama Peaky Blinders

It is, she added, a “a fitting recognition” of Murphy’s “immense” talent.

Screen Ireland chief executive Desiree Finnegan, said Murphy had long delivered “outstanding performances” in Irish films, including Small Things Like These, Disco Pigs and The Wind that Shakes the Barley.

She called his performance in Oppenheimer “extraordinary” and that it deserved the “worldwide recognition and critical acclaim”.