‘Oblivion’ star Tom Cruise discovers his amazing family history of knights, rebels and heroes on a visit to Dublin, Ireland

 

 Hollywood actor and producer Tom Cruise today discovered that the truth of his Irish family history is more amazing than fiction. His Irish ancestors have been identified as knights, rebels and heroes in a family history that stretches back an incredible 800 years.

Tom Cruise stopped off in Dublin, Ireland, on the European leg of his tour to promote the Universal Pictures film ‘Oblivion’. Set on a spectacular future Earth that has evolved beyond recognition, the film tells the story of one man’s confrontation of the past, leading him on a journey to redemption and discovery as he battles to save mankind, played by Tom Cruise.

Aptly, in real life, Cruise went on his own journey of discovery to deepen his knowledge of his Irish ancestry, which stretches back over 800 years. Research commissioned by Tourism Ireland for Cruise’s visit, and completed by genealogy researchers Eneclann, has unveiled the amazing history of a family that contained knights in the 12^th Century, rebels in the 17^th Century and a hero, Patrick Russell-Cruise, who reinstated tenants on his lands in the 19^th Century following their eviction against his wishes by an unscrupulous land-agent. Tom Cruise is a fifth generation direct descendant of Patrick Russell-Cruise.

Today, prior to the Red carpet premiere of 'Oblivion' in Dublin,Cruise was presented with a Certificate of Irish Heritage by Ireland’s Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, in Dublin. The Certificate is an official recognition by the Irish government of those that are proud of their Irish ancestry and heritage.

Upon receipt of his Certificate of Irish Heritage Cruise said: “It’s a great honour for me and for my whole family – I can’t wait to bring it back to them and enlighten them on their history.” Cruise continued “I’m very proud to be Irish. There’s a pride in America of being Irish.

I can’t wait to come back and I want to visit the land of my ancestors and the castle that they had.”

As this is the year of The Gathering Ireland 2013,with a programme of over 300 clan gatherings and local history talks taking place throughout the year, Tourism Ireland has christened 2013Ireland’s “Family History Year”. Tourism Ireland is encouraging those with Irish connections throughout the worldto follow in Cruise’s footsteps and to visit in 2013 to learn more about their heritage and explore the places their ancestors came from.

 

Posted by Anne Gordon on Thursday, 4th April, 2013