Cillian Murphy’s Family Guide: Meet the Oscar Winner’s Sons and More

Cillian Murphy grew up as the child of educators and is now the loving dad of two sons.

The Oppenheimer actor was born in Cork, Ireland, to Brendan and Jane Murphy. Both his parents worked in education. Cillian was the eldest son, as Brendan and Jane later welcomed son Páidi and daughters Sile and Orla.

Instead of following in his parents’ footsteps, Cillian pursued acting. After landing a role in 1996’s Disco Pigs, Cillian met the love of his life, Yvonne McGuinness, whom he wed in 2004. The couple share two sons: Malachy and Aran Murphy.

At a young age, Aran knew he wanted to follow his dad’s path in the entertainment world and has already booked several roles.

Keep scrolling for a complete guide to Cillian’s family:

Parents Brendan and Jane Murphy

Cillian’s father worked for the department of education, while his mother was a French teacher.

Brother Paidi Murphy

Before Cillian became an award-winning actor, he dabbled in music. He was in a band called The Sons of Mr Green Genes alongside his brother. Cillian and Páidi formed the group as teens. They were offered a record deal but ultimately rejected it because Páidi was still in school.

“I’m very glad in retrospect that we didn’t sign, because you kind of sign away your life to a label and the whole of your music,” Cillian told The Evening Herald in 2009.

Páidi has kept his personal life private.

Sisters Sile and Orla Murphy

Sile and Orla also remain out of the limelight. The Irish Mirror reported that both of Cillian’s sisters have pursued careers in education like their parents.

Wife Yvonne McGuinness

Cillian met McGuinness in 1996 while working on Disco Pigs. In 2001, the couple moved from Dublin to London so McGuiness could attend the Royal College of Art. Cillian and McGuiness tied the knot in 2004. They welcomed son Malachy the following year. In 2007, the pair welcomed son Aran.

McGuinness works as a visual artist and has created pieces for films, performances, installation art and sound works. She has worked on three short films: Between Us (2011), Charlie’s Place (2012) and Procession (2012).

Son Malachy Murphy

Malachy was born in 2005 in London. Cillian and McGuiness’ eldest son was named after his parents’ Irish roots, as his moniker is a version of the Gaelic name “Maeleachlainn,” which means “son of the servant of God.”

Malachy has joined his father on the red carpet as a kid a handful of times, but he has opted to remain out of the public eye.

Son Aran Murphy

Cillian and McGuinness welcomed Aran in 2007 and named their youngest son after the Aran Islands in Ireland. Much like his father, Aran has pursued an acting career. His first role came in 2018 as he starred in the world tour for the stage play Hamnet.

Aran made his film debut in 2022’s Lola. He has several other projects in the works, including the film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun, which is being directed by Taika Waititi. In November 2025, Aran was cast in the HBO series War.