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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mel Gibson says he can identify with ‘mad Irish culture' as he visits Meath for Braveheart 30th anniversary
The Hollywood actor and director (69) paid tribute to those involved in the filming of the historical epic in Ireland. And with many of his ancestors from Ireland and his mother from Co Longford, he said that he 'understands and can identify' with the 'mad Irish culture'. Gibson, who directed, produced and starred in the 1995 film was speaking in Trim, Co Meath, as he celebrated the anniversary at the King John Summer Prom. Hundreds of people turned out to catch a glimpse of the movie star, who signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans. Despite its Scottish storyline, Braveheart was primarily filmed in counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, with the well-known execution scene filmed at Trim Castle. During his visit to Trim on Saturday, Gibson said he feels a 'connection' to the Irish. 'There is this DNA thing that goes way back probably to the fourth century. Some people think they are reincarnated, I just get hints of something old. There's different parts that make us,' he said. 'So I came from Ireland somehow. It's not even that explicable, but it's just a feeling.' Gibson said that the Irish hospitality during the filming of Braveheart was 'amazing' and he thanked the people of Ireland and hundreds of movie extras for the role they played. He also thanked then Arts Minister Michael D Higgins. 'Michael D Higgins welcomed us with open arms at the time. He said you can come here and we'll help you as much as we can,' Gibson said. Gibson had been shooting Braveheart in Scotland originally, but said the ground was not suitable for horses during battle scenes, compared to the Curragh in Co Kildare. The US-Australian actor spent his visit in Trim meeting local people who had been extras in the award-winning film. Gibson had made the request prior to his arrival to meet with two extras from Ireland privately before the event started. Vinny McConnell and Gary Downes both joined the cast when they were 16 as one of their first jobs. Vinny explained how the pair were members of the FCA based at Cathal Brugha Barracks and the opportunity had arisen to be involved in the film shooting at the Curragh. 'At the end of our filming we ended up getting photos, dating back 30 years ago now, and we have reunited with Mel Gibson and he signed them for us,' Vinny said. Life got in the way for Vinny and Gary to continue pursuing their love for film, but as Gary said: 'It's never too late, we're 47 and we're hot to trot.' One of the film extras, Gerry Gormley, also had the opportunity to work on set for three days during filming at Trim Castle, and he chatted to Gibson one on one about how the pair are actually related – Gibson's mother and Gerry's grandmother were cousins. 'It was embarrassing really. It was the end of the day filming and I had to shout from the crowd trying to talk to him: 'I'm actually related to you',' he said. 'I remember all the lads of set were sniggering, but he [Gibson] actually put his arm around me. He was interested in his Irish history so of course he wanted to know. 'I looked back and the lads and they were in shock so I was fairly smug then.' A total of 200 'Braveheart' posters were brought to be signed by Gibson, with proceeds raised from their sale to be donated to the charity 'Irish Equity', which represents professionals in the live performance and theatre sector in the Republic of Ireland. Gibson attended the King John Summer Prom Festival, joined by his son Lars (8) and daughter Lucia (15) and his partner Rosalind Ross. As part of the festival, Gibson and his family joined people in a red and white tent on the outskirts of Trim on Saturday to listen to the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra play themes from famous movies, conducted by Niall O'Sullivan. Irish actor Patrick Bergin introduced the music from Sleeping With The Enemy, in which he starred opposite Julia Roberts. He told a story about how, after auditioning for the role, he tried to leave the room and walked into a broom closet. 'As I came out of the closet [director] Joe Ruben said 'it was the look in your eye that got you the part'.' Actor Kate O'Toole told the story of how her father was away for two years to film Lawrence Of Arabia, before introducing the theme from the film played by the orchestra. 'One of the weird things about it that still stays with me is that scene with the quicksand, I really thought when I was a child that going to the beach was dangerous,' she told the crowd. Singer Leah Barniville performed Ennio Morricone's Ecstasy Of Gold from the Good, The Bad And The Ugly, as well as the Titanic Suite.
Sky News AU
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘A lot on her shoulders': Penny Wong advised to ‘adapt' to Trump views amid Washington trip
LNP MP Garth Hamilton says Foreign Minister Penny Wong has 'a lot on her shoulders' as she prepares to fly to Washington, DC, to meet her counterparts from the US, Japan, and India. 'We're going through a period where the US-Australian relationship is in a period of degradation,' Mr Hamilton told Sky News host Caleb Bond. 'This could actually come to define Mr Albanese's time as our prime minister. 'This relationship can't afford to get any worse.'
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Canberra supports US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, pushes for dialogue
Australia has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. At the same time, calling for urgent de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. After several days of escalations, the US launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST). President Donald Trump stated, 'There will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the support on Monday. She said the world must act to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. A UN watchdog recently found Iran had enriched uranium close to weapons-grade. Senator Wong also said Australia had not received any request for military help and was told that the joint US-Australian base at Pine Gap was not involved. She said this was a dangerous moment. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue to prevent a 'full-scale war' in the Middle East. Live Events The National Security Committee will meet in Canberra on Monday to discuss the situation. Australia's backing goes further than that of allies like the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, which have stopped short of directly supporting the strike. Liberal Senator and former Australian ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, called the initial response "underwhelming" but said support for the strikes was the right move. However, the Greens strongly opposed the strikes. Senator David Shoebridge said military action would only harm civilians and branded Donald Trump a "warmonger". Former Australian ambassador to Iran Paul Foley said the government's stand was appropriate. But he warned that tensions could rise, depending on Iran's next move. Options for Iran include not responding, launching a limited strike, or attacking US targets. Foley said diplomacy is still possible if both sides are serious. About 2,900 Australians in Iran and 1,300 in Israel have registered to leave. Australia has officials at the border to help citizens exit Iran. Airspace is closed, and Wong warned that leaving is risky but advised it if possible. The UK, France, Germany, and Italy urged Iran not to escalate. Canada and New Zealand echoed calls for diplomacy.
Sydney Morning Herald
01-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The hidden nasty for Australian investors in Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill'
New York: A proposed new tax on foreigners buried in the 'big, beautiful bill' championed by US President Donald Trump has alarmed the Australian business community in New York, with multinationals, super funds and high-net-worth individuals all liable to be hit. Section 899 of Trump's key taxation bill, which has passed the US House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate, would impose 'increased rates of tax on foreign persons of discriminatory foreign countries', starting at 5 per cent and increasing annually to as high as 20 per cent. A number of Australian policies are considered unfair or discriminatory by the US government. The tax threat has unnerved Wall Street and rattled figures in the US-Australian business community, as well as at the highest levels of the Australian consulate in New York. American Australian Association president Steven Marshall said there was growing concern among Australian investors about the proposal, 'particularly its implications for cross-border investment and taxation'. But he noted the bill was not finalised. 'The full details and potential impact remain unclear. We'll have a better sense of the real consequences once the legislation progresses to the US Senate and more concrete provisions are released.' Michael Brown, a senior analyst at Melbourne-based broker Pepperstone, whose clients are largely Australian, said: 'If it ends up passing through the Senate and becoming law, it's going to be incredibly punitive to actually invest in the United States.' Brown said his firm had been flooded with inquiries from Australian and European clients about the proposed law, which escaped initial headlines about the 'big, beautiful bill' but has now become widely seen as a secret 'sting in the tail' of the legislation.
The Age
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
The hidden nasty for Australian investors in Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill'
New York: A proposed new tax on foreigners buried in the 'big, beautiful bill' championed by US President Donald Trump has alarmed the Australian business community in New York, with multinationals, super funds and high-net-worth individuals all liable to be hit. Section 899 of Trump's key taxation bill, which has passed the US House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate, would impose 'increased rates of tax on foreign persons of discriminatory foreign countries', starting at 5 per cent and increasing annually to as high as 20 per cent. A number of Australian policies are considered unfair or discriminatory by the US government. The tax threat has unnerved Wall Street and rattled figures in the US-Australian business community, as well as at the highest levels of the Australian consulate in New York. American Australian Association president Steven Marshall said there was growing concern among Australian investors about the proposal, 'particularly its implications for cross-border investment and taxation'. But he noted the bill was not finalised. 'The full details and potential impact remain unclear. We'll have a better sense of the real consequences once the legislation progresses to the US Senate and more concrete provisions are released.' Michael Brown, a senior analyst at Melbourne-based broker Pepperstone, whose clients are largely Australian, said: 'If it ends up passing through the Senate and becoming law, it's going to be incredibly punitive to actually invest in the United States.' Brown said his firm had been flooded with inquiries from Australian and European clients about the proposed law, which escaped initial headlines about the 'big, beautiful bill' but has now become widely seen as a secret 'sting in the tail' of the legislation.
