'Be passionate about what you are doing': Cillian Murphy's advice to Cork girl for school project

A CORK woman who contacted Hollywood star Cillian Murphy for help with a school project 10 years ago opened up about the part he played in her success.

Sophie Gray from Ballinlough said she was delighted to see the Cork man earn a nomination in the Best Actor category at this year’s Academy Awards. The accolade follows his wildly acclaimed performance in Oppenheimer.

It comes a decade after an email she sent to the actor asking if he would spare some time to help with her school project. While Mr Murphy is known for being extremely private, he agreed to speak to Sophie by phone about his love for Cork and success in the film industry.

To this day, Sophie believes it was the pureness of her email that captured Mr Murphy’s imagination.

“I’m still so happy and proud that I had the chance to interview him,” she told The Echo.

Ms Gray said his advice at the time prompted her to begin pursuing her dreams. She is now studying zoology at Trinity College, Dublin and has enjoyed success in the past both as an actor and local journalist.

Heritage project

Her ambitions all started with the The Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project run by the current Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy. Now in its 20th year the initiative is funded by Cork City Council and aims to encourage students at primary and secondary level to familiarise themselves with local heritage and history.

Ms Gray was in sixth class at Scoil Mhuire Junior School when she tasked herself with finding a Hollywood star to help with her project.

At just 12-years-old, Sophie admits she was painfully shy which made phone calls particularly difficult.

“The thought of speaking to any adult on the phone at that age was scary to me, never mind someone I had watched in movies.” 

Sophie refused to let this scupper her chances of interviewing the actor.

“At that age you don’t see any roadblocks so getting a Hollywood actor to interview for my school project didn’t seem out of the ordinary. It’s mad to think how young I was at the time as my brother Florence is now the same age.” 

The Cork woman-, who has five brothers- Sam (29), Arthur (21), Oscar (19), Hamilton (17) and Florence (13)- was the only pupil in her class to interview such a high profile celebrity.

“Initially, I was going to do something relating to 1916 until I had the idea of interviewing someone from recent history. I was trying to find someone who knew Cillian Murphy. I knew he worked with Corcadorca Theatre Company. My mum worked in the same building as them so I was able to get in touch with Cillian through the organisation.” 

'Love for Murphy's'

She recalled how down to earth Cillian was during their conversations.

“I asked him questions about being from Cork and how it affected his life. He told me about his love for Murphy's which - now that I’m 22 - is something I can finally relate to. He also told me about how it took him leaving Cork to realise how much he really loved it. This is something I can understand since moving to Dublin to study at Trinity.” 

The zoology student described her introduction to the star.

“I rang him from my mum’s phone. It was so nerve racking. I was falling over my words at first, but he was really down to earth and easy to talk to. It was one of the best experiences from that time of my life. 

"I asked him what advice he would give to kids pursuing their dreams. He said to let your gut lead you and to be passionate about what you are doing in life, no matter what it is.” 

Cillian immediately put Sophie at ease.

“He knew I was just a child so I wasn’t looking for a scoop. I think he realised there was no agenda and I was just interested in what he was doing and his connection to Cork. I continued to come out of myself after that phone call. My logic was that if I was able to interview movie stars on the phone then I was capable of anything. The worst thing that can happen when you ask is somebody telling you no.” 

The project opened up a world of possibilities for the now 22-year-old.

“I was toying with the idea of becoming an actor. Singing was also my passion. In the end my desire to help others overtook all of this and influenced my decision to study zoology.” 

Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy said he was delighted that The Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project was such a driving force for Sophie.

“I recall that it was a very elaborate and fun project,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Sometimes you know that someone is going to do well in life especially when they have that colour and creativity. I’m not surprised that Sophie has been successful. Sometimes people pick out a subject for their project that brings them on a journey. This has clearly brought her on a massive journey.”