Star Irons In Orphan Mercy Bid
by Ann Mooney, The Mirror
July 27, 2002
Big-hearted actor Jeremy Irons is backing a project aimed at making life easier for deprived children.
Jeremy, who lives near Skibberdeen in West Cork, has thrown his support behind a fundraising event today aimed at raising thousands of euros to help neglected and abused orphans in Romania.
He is the patron of the annual Civil Defence hill-walking challenge.
Civil Defence officer Seamus O'Mahony said: "We were absolutely delighted when Jeremy agreed to become patron of the charity.
"We hope to be able to hand over a cheque, which we hope will be worth EUR15,000, to him in the next few weeks."
The Brideshead Revisited star, who is married to Sinead Cusack, has spent millions on restoring his home, Kilcoe Castle, and will throw open its doors to host a reception for fundraisers.
The seven-storey tower overlooking Roaring Water Bay was recently the subject of controversy because preservation material used in its painting turned it orange.
Jeremy wants the castle, when completely renovated, to become a haven for friends and artists.
About 100 people will participate in the 8km walk, which takes place from the highest peak in West Cork, the Priest's Leap near Glengarriff, to the Borlin Valley.
The walk will help fund a project to move children out of the Negru Voda Orphanage in Romania to new residential centres.