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Hometown honour for Hollywood star Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender and his partner Alicia Vikander celebrating after he was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/PA Wire
Michael Fassbender and his partner Alicia Vikander celebrating after he was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/PA Wire Michael Fassbender and his partner Alicia Vikander celebrating after he was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/PA Wire

HOLLYWOOD star Michael Fassbender has been awarded his hometown's highest honour.

The Irishman was inducted into the Order of Innisfallen – bestowed by Killarney in Co Kerry - in recognition of his remarkable achievements in the film industry.

The 39-year-old actor was joined at the ceremony in Muckross House in the stunning Killarney National Park by his Oscar-winning partner Alicia Vikander.

The pair met while they were making the film The Light Between Oceans, a romantic period drama about a lighthouse keeper and his wife who rescue and adopt an infant girl who was adrift at sea.

Fassbender, who was Oscar nominated for his role as Steve Jobs in last year's Danny Boyle's biopic of the Apple co-founder, was also joined by his parents Josef and Adele, who still live just outside Killarney.

Celebrations continued at a gala black tie ball in the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort after the ceremony.

Born in Germany to a German father and Irish mother, Fassbender moved to Killarney at the age of two and grew up there as his parents ran a restaurant.

He was once an altar boy at the nearby Prince of Peace Church in Fossa and he attended the local national school before going on to St Brendan's College.

Fassbender first came to prominence with his portrayal of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in the award-winning 2008 film Hunger.

Going on to to have starring roles in the likes of 12 Years A Slave, Prometheus, Frank, Shame, Macbeth and Jane Eyre, he has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors.

Previous recipients of the Order of Innisfallen award include singer Daniel O'Donnell.

The honour is named after Innisfallen Island, arguably Killarney's best known and most historic heritage site.