Post box in Cork undergoes gold makeover in honour of Cillian Murphy's Oscar win 

A touch of gold has been brought to the streetscape of Ballintemple in honour of Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win as a local post box has been enhanced as a nod to the most recognised trophy in the world – the Oscar statuette.

Covered in gold wrap and bearing a sign that reads ‘Cillian Murphy Best Actor Oppenheimer’, the unique post box sits outside Ballintemple Post Office near Murphy's childhood home.

Speaking to The Echo, postmistress of Ballintemple Post Office, Colette Collins, said the initiative was led by An Post.

“Fair dues, An Post stepped up… it was fantastic to be able to do it,” she said.

Ms Collins said that, in the lead up to Patrick’s Day, staff in the post office are decked out in green today and that the celebrations are twofold.

“We’ve had people taking pictures of us hanging off the post box outside!

“There’s a great old atmosphere around the place.”

Cillian Murphy became the first Irish-born actor to win a Best Actor Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday.

Murphy won the prestigious accolade for his portrayal of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s biopic about the father of the atomic bomb.

Tributes to Murphy have poured in since his success at the weekend.

President Michael D Higgins led the congratulatory messages on the “wonderful achievement” which Murphy “so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere”.

Meanwhile Tánaiste Micheál Martin paid tribute to his fellow Cork native for his performance in Oppenheimer, which he said will “stand the test of time”, while the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy described Murphy as a “true arts treasure, who remains grounded”.

Mr McCarthy said Murphy serves as a “huge inspiration for others from Cork and Ireland involved in the international cinema scene”.