Strengthening the ties between the Irish village and the illustrious Hollywood Walk of Fame: A detailed examination of the Moore family's influence
Fordstown's Hollywood Connection: The Remarkable Moore Family
The small Irish village of Fordstown in County Meath is known for its rich history and archaeological heritage, but it has gained an additional claim to fame due to its connection to the celebrated Moore family. This extraordinary acting dynasty, hailing from Fordstown, made a significant impact on Hollywood with five members collectively starring in over 740 films.
The Moore family emigrated from Fordstown to the United States in 1896, when John Moore was nearly 60 years old, accompanied by his wife Rosanna and their six children. The children ranged in age from two to 13 years old during the voyage. The family initially settled in Toledo, Ohio.
Two of John Moore's sons, Tom and Owen Moore, abandoned the cornfields of Ohio to join a traveling theater company. Tom Moore went on to appear in an impressive 186 movies, according to the Hollywood Walk of Fame's website, while Owen Moore was married to Mary Pickford, who became one of the biggest stars in the world. Their union was turbulent.
Matt Moore, another member of the Moore family, had a unique love for cats and often tried to include them in his movies. He starred in approximately 221 movies, one of which was the film "White Tiger". During the filming of this movie in Africa, Matt Moore wrestled a white tiger, a feat that was originally included in the movie but was later edited out for time purposes.
Sadly, tragedy struck the family five years after settling in Toledo when their young son Jack died. Mary Pickford, the youngest daughter of the family, contracted what is now believed to be Spanish flu while working in France and died in 1919 at the age of 28. She was buried with military honors.
Her younger brother Joe Moore also starred in about 40 movies before dying young, at the age of 31. In 1922, Tom Moore returned home and was filmed by Pathé News riding out with the Meath Hunt.
It is worth noting that Maureen O'Hara, who is not from Fordstown, is honored with a bust in the town square of Kells. Despite this, Fordstown remains historically distinguished primarily because it produced the Moore family, whose members collectively made a major mark on film history, making the village unique among Irish rural communities for its direct connection to Hollywood.
References: 1. The Irish Times 2. The Hollywood Reporter 3. Navan Heritage Centre and Museum
- The Moore family's impact on Hollywood extends beyond just movies and TV, as they collectively starred in over 740 films, making Fordstown in County Meath notable for more than its rich history and archaeological heritage.
- The connection between Fordstown and entertainment is further cemented by the family's entanglement with celebrities, such as when Tom Moore, a Moore family member, was filmed by Pathé News riding out with the Meath Hunt after returning home from a successful film career.
