Mark Wahlberg has recorded a thoughtful video message for sixth class students at Ballymacarbry Central School in Co. Waterford.
Pupils who missed out on their final months of primary school due to the coronavirus pandemic were treated to a special video message from a number of well-known Irish people. Most, however, wouldn't have expected to see Mark Wahlberg, star of The Departed, turn up at the end grasping photographs of their class.
Niall Quinn, Gordon D'Arcy, Johnny B from the 2 Johnnies and Irish writer Judi Curtin would all seem to be fairly accessible given how small Ireland is and how easy it is to know someone who knows someone. But how on earth did a small school in Waterford manage to nab an Academy Award nominee all the way from Los Angeles?
Well, according to
WLR FM, Wahlberg attends the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, where the parish priest is the uncle of the Ballymacarbery school principal. If you don't ask you don't get, right?
In the clip, Wahlberg says that he has heard that rang a sé are a "lovely bunch" and he even promised to visit one day when all things get back to normal. It's a lovely gesture by the Daddy's Home star and you can watch the clip in full below, with Wahlberg appearing towards the end...
Mark Wahlberg isn't the only high-profile actor to congratulate an Irish class this summer, with his Departed co-star turned Dalkey resident
Matt Damon sending a
video message to Loreto Abbey sixth years back in May.
Hollywood stars... you're alright.
