Tom Cruise and the Meath connection

 

Hollywood star Tom Cruise could be a Meath man! Genealogical research shows that he is a fifth generation descendant of a Cruise family from Cruicetown in Meath. The most prominent Cruicetown in Meath is in the Nobber area.

Cruise was in Dublin today 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 (Cruise's) confrontation of the past, leading him on a journey to redemption and discovery as he battles to save mankind.

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 12th century, rebels in the 17th century and a hero, Patrick Russell-Cruise, who reinstated tenants on his lands in the 19th century following their eviction against his wishes by an unscrupulous land-agent. Tom Cruise is a fifth generation direct descendant of Patrick Russell-Cruise. Patrick Russell-Cruise, who was son of Andrew Cruise of Cruicetown and Bridget Russell of Drynam House in North Dublin, emigrated to New York 1825 with his wife, Teresa Johnson, also of Meath, where they continued the Cruise name.

Today, prior to the red carpet premiere of ‘Oblivion’ at Dublin’s Savoy Cinema, Cruise was presented with a Certificate of Irish Heritage by Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore in Dublin’s Iveagh House. The Certificate is an official recognition by the Irish government of those that are proud of their Irish ancestry and heritage. Cruise starred in Far and Away 17 years ago which was filmed in Dingle Peninsula, it was also the last time Cruise visited Ireland until now.