Conan O’Brien Finds Emotional Connection to Family History During Ireland Trip
Ahead of hosting the 98th Academy Awards, Conan O’Brien shared a deeply personal experience on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” detailing an emotional journey to Ireland and a newfound understanding of his great-grandfather’s immigration story.
Tracing Ancestral Roots in Galbally
O’Brien’s trip to Ireland was part of a segment for his HBO Max travel series, “Conan O’Brien Must Proceed.” He recounted working with a genealogist who located the site of his great-grandfather, Thomas O’Brien’s, former home near the Galbally Mountains. Despite the home no longer standing, O’Brien filmed a visit to the location.
Unexpected Emotional Response
Initially, O’Brien had planned a comedic approach to the segment, preparing jokes and props. However, he found himself unexpectedly moved by the experience. “I’m not someone who wears my emotions on my sleeves, but I got emotional,” O’Brien explained. “It’s very powerful when you’re standing there.”
A Tenant Farmer’s Struggle
O’Brien learned that his great-grandfather was a tenant farmer living on a small plot of land he did not own. Facing economic hardship, Thomas O’Brien made the hard decision to leave Ireland and seek a better life in America. “They didn’t have money, and he needed to move on because it wasn’t working,” O’Brien said.
Empathy for Immigrants
Reflecting on the experience, O’Brien expressed a profound sense of empathy for immigrants. He highlighted the immense challenges they face, including adapting to a fresh language and building a life for future generations. “I have incredible empathy for people who have immigrated to another country,” O’Brien remarked. “It takes an entire lifetime to go to a country where…they don’t speak the language, and they have to spend their entire lives just getting things started for the next generation.”
A Story of Sacrifice
O’Brien emphasized that immigration is often driven by necessity rather than a desire for adventure. “People leave not because they think, ‘Hey, I just want to go have fun in America.’ They leave because they have to,” he stated, acknowledging the sadness inherent in many immigration stories.
O’Brien is set to host the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday.