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Matt Damon says Ireland was a 'fairytale' for his family
🇮🇪 Ireland /Culture & Society

Matt Damon says Ireland was a 'fairytale' for his family

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Matt Damon described Ireland as a "fairytale" for his family during their Covid-19 lockdown stay.
  • His daughter expressed a desire to live in Ireland, calling it the most special place she has visited.
  • Damon acknowledged feeling fortunate for the "fairytale" experience while others faced hardship.

Hollywood actor Matt Damon has spoken warmly of his family's time in Ireland, calling the country a "fairytale" during their extended stay for the Covid-19 lockdown. The actor and his family lived in Dalkey, Dublin, for several months in 2020 after production on his film "The Last Duel" was suspended.

That place is so special for me, for my entire family. That was where we locked down for Covid, and we could not have been more embraced. We could not love that place more.

— Matt DamonDescribing his family's positive experience living in Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Damon became an unexpected Irish icon during this period, famously photographed carrying a SuperValu shopping bag. While social media humorously suggested he was carrying "a bag of cans," Damon later clarified it contained towels for his children. The experience left such a profound impression that one of his daughters still speaks of Ireland as a place she could envision living permanently.

My daughter has said to me, of all the places she’s been around the world, she says, ‘That’s the place I could go and live.’ It was an amazing experience.

— Matt DamonRecounting his daughter's strong positive feelings about Ireland after their stay.

"That place is so special for me, for my entire family," Damon told RTÉ Entertainment. "We could not have been more embraced. We could not love that place more." He reflected on the contrast between his family's idyllic experience and the widespread hardship faced by many during the pandemic, admitting, "I felt guilty because I knew how people were really struggling. And we just had a fairy tale, and we’ll never forget it."

I felt guilty because I knew how people were really struggling. And we just had a fairy tale, and we’ll never forget it.

— Matt DamonReflecting on the privilege of his family's positive experience during a time of global hardship.

Tom Holland, who stars alongside Damon in the upcoming film "The Odyssey," also shared his connection to Ireland. With Irish roots through his grandmother from Tipperary, Holland noted his frequent childhood visits. "I love Ireland. I’ve got family there, we used to go there all the time as kids," he said, highlighting a shared appreciation for the country.

I love Ireland. I’ve got family there, we used to go there all the time as kids.

— Tom HollandExpressing his personal connection to Ireland due to family ties.
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Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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