“Kevin Costner’s Irish Heritage: Discovering His Roots in County Kilkenny”

Kevin Costner’s ancestors trace back to County Kilkenny in southeastern Ireland. His great-grandfather, Michael Costner, was born in the village of Graiguenamanagh in 1855.

During this period, Ireland was grappling with the Great Famine, a devastating time marked by widespread hunger and disease that lasted from 1845 to 1852. Like many others, Michael saw little hope for his future in Ireland and chose to emigrate to the United States in search of a better life.

After settling in California, Michael married and started a family. His son, William Costner, Kevin’s grandfather, played a significant role in instilling a love for their Irish heritage in Kevin. William was a successful businessman but maintained strong ties to Ireland, visiting several times throughout his life. He passed down his affection for the country and its culture to his grandson.

Interestingly, Michael Costner’s emigration story mirrors themes in “1923,” the prequel to Kevin’s hit show “Yellowstone.” Kevin himself has visited Ireland numerous times and has spoken fondly of the country. In a 2016 interview with The Irish Times, he shared, “I have a lot of friends in Ireland, and I feel a connection to the people and the landscape. I love how the country preserves its history and traditions, and I always feel at home when I’m there.”

During his visits, Costner has explored Ireland’s rich history and culture, including historic sites like the ancient monastery at Glendalough in County Wicklow and the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. He has a keen interest in Irish history and even spent time in West Cork researching the life of Michael Collins for a potential film project, for which Eoghan Harris wrote the script.

“I wanted to make the Michael Collins story, and I still do,” Costner told Joe.ie in 2020. “I know it was made by another director (Neil Jordan), but my vision was different. I love the epic nature of Collins’ story, and it resonates with me now more than ever. He was an incredible person caught in a complex political landscape.”

Costner described Harris’s script as reminiscent of David Lean’s epic “Lawrence of Arabia” in its scope. “There was a final line in the script that said, ‘God Ireland, I love you,’ which captured his essence. That line always stuck with me. Eoghan Harris’s script was truly exceptional—an epic portrayal, much like a real-life ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ for Collins.”