Ireland

Clooneys meet Irish relatives during Easter break in Co Laois

Amal and George Clooney pictured last year at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Amal and George Clooney pictured last year at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Amal and George Clooney pictured last year at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

ACTOR George Clooney and his barrister wife Amal enjoyed an Easter break in Co Laois at the weekend where they met the Hollywood star's relatives.

The couple checked into the five-star Ballyfin House, set on a private estate at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains, much to the surprise of other guests.

Mr Clooney, whose ancestors hail from Windgap, Co Kilkenny, was said to have been delighted at reconnecting with his family, according to the Sunday Independent.

The family get-together was organised by Mr Clooney's parents - broadcaster Nicholas (85) and his wife Nina (80), a writer - who arrived in Ireland from the US during the week.

Andy Ring, a cousin of Mr Clooney’s and the owner of irishheritagetowns.com, met the actor at Ballyfin. “The first thing he said when he arrived at Ballyfin House was, 'The Irish Clooneys are doing okay'. He’s an absolute gentleman," he said.

The Regency mansion stands in 614 acres of secluded gardens where guest can walk, horse ride, enjoy coarse fishing, archery and falconry.