Oscar winner Cillian Murphy is putting his money—and heart—into preserving Irish culture. Alongside his wife Yvonne McGuinness, the Oppenheimer star has purchased the beloved Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, aiming to transform it into a non-profit arts center for film, music, and community events. “It’s not about us,” McGuinness says, “It’s about protecting a small part of Irish cultural history.” Want to know why they’re funding it all themselves—and what Murphy’s next move is for Ireland’s art scene.

oscar-winning actor cillian murphy, celebrated worldwide for his powerful performance in oppenheimer, is turning his attention from hollywood to home, investing his energy and resources into preserving a vital piece of ireland’s cultural heritage. together with his wife, artist and filmmaker yvonne mcguinness, murphy has purchased the historic phoenix cinema in dingle, county kerry—one of ireland’s oldest independent theaters—with the goal of transforming it into a non-profit arts center dedicated to film, music, and community creativity.

the phoenix cinema, long regarded as a cultural cornerstone for the dingle peninsula, had faced closure amid financial challenges. rather than see another historic venue fade into memory, murphy and mcguinness decided to step in personally. their vision goes far beyond restoration—they plan to create a vibrant community hub that celebrates irish storytelling in all its forms. “it’s not about us,” mcguinness shared, “it’s about protecting a small part of irish cultural history.”

the couple’s decision to self-fund the project has drawn admiration, highlighting their deep commitment to supporting the arts without commercial interference. for murphy, who has often spoken about the importance of authenticity and artistic independence, the move reflects a lifelong dedication to his roots. he has long championed ireland’s creative industries, from his early theater days to his collaborations with irish filmmakers and musicians.

plans for the phoenix include film screenings, workshops, live performances, and educational programs aimed at nurturing local talent. by reopening the cinema as a non-profit arts venue, murphy hopes to create opportunities for young creatives while preserving a gathering space for the local community.

as hollywood accolades continue to surround him, murphy’s latest act of cultural stewardship proves that his heart remains firmly in ireland—protecting its stories, celebrating its artists, and ensuring that the spirit of creativity continues to thrive for generations to come.