When it comes to Irish classics, Into the West is up there with the best of them.  The Jim Sheridan scripted film struck a chord and still resonates with Irish audiences today. 

While the child cast of  Rúaidhrí Conroy and Ciarán Fitzgerald undoubtedly stole the show, it's easy to forget that the film is jam packed full of Irish actors who went on to become huge names both at home and abroad. 

We decided to have a look back at the cast and see what they're up to now. 

 Tito - Rúaidhrí Conroy

Rúaidhrí Conroy has enjoyed a steady acting career since his days as 'Taaaaayytooo'. The Dubliner has an impressive list of film credits behind him but has also impressed on the stage where he won a Theatre World Award for his performance in Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishman. He reunited with McDonagh again for the director's Oscar winning short Six Shooter where he held his own opposite Brendan Gleeson. 

Conroy's most recent Film and TV appearance came opposite Tom Vaughan-Lalor in TV3's Trial of the Century while he can next be seen later this year in Pilgrimage which will star Spider-Man himself Tom Holland. 

 

Ossie - Ciarán Fitzgerald

Ciarán Fitzgerald continued his acting career after Into the West with roles in Jim Sheridan's The Boxer and John Boorman's The General.

He studied drama in DIT Rathmines and appeared in Theatre Productions but his last on screen role came with his stint on Fair City in 2005. He seems to have given up on acting since then to pursue a career in medicine. The most recent image of him is from Fair City where he acted alongside Colin O'Donoghue. 

 

Papa Reilly - Gabriel Bryne

He may have started out Irish soapland with Bracken but Gabriel Bryne was one of the hottest stars in Hollywood by the time he played the role of Papa Reilly. 

Byrne has been doing some excellent work in recent years most notably in TV. He was nominated for two Emmys and won a Golden Globe for his show In Treatment. He'll next be seen in the second season of Netflix series Marco Polo.

 

Kathleen - Ellen Barkin

Barkin was of course a big Hollywood star in the 80s acting opposite the likes of Al Pacino. She appeared in the film for the chance to work with her then husband Gabriel Byrne. 

In more recent years she's appeared in the likes of Ocean's Thirteen while this year she'll star in the TV remake of cult Australian crime indie Animal Kingdom.

 

Barreller - Colm Meaney

Colm Meaney had already made a name for himself in the US prior to his appearance in the film thanks to his role as Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He would of course go on to be the quintessential Irish Dad thanks to his roles in the Barrystown Trilogy (The Commitments, The Snapper and The Van). 

His latest TV venture Hell on Wheels finished last year after five seasons. According to IMDB, Meaney has a handful of projects set to be released between now and the end of 2017. 

 

Inspector Bolger - Brendan Gleesson

Arguably the best Irish actor working today, Gleeson has gone on to have a wonderful career, appearing in Oscar winners like Braveheart, blockbusters such as Harry Potter and garnering critical acclaim in the likes of The Guard and Calvary. 

Gleeson has two projects set for release this year - Assassin's Creed and Tresspass Against Us. Both movies will see him star alongside fellow Irishman Michael Fassbender. 

 

Grandfather - David Kelly

David Kelly had a fantastic career post as a character actor. He had a central role in Waking Ned and went on to play Grandpa Joe in Tim Burton's remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

A legend in Irish theatre, Kelly sadly passed away in 2012 aged 82.