There’s an unsettling story about John Byrne, the Scottish artist and writer of Tutti Frutti, the hit television series of the 1980s that launched the careers of Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson; and former husband of Tilda Swinton with whom he had two children. He discovered a few years back that he is his grandfather’s son, the result of an incestuous union. His mother had a long struggle with mental illness, which he believes was brought on by her relationship with her father.
But Byrne still seems to be in denial about the damaging consequences and fairly nonchalant about it being common. He said: “That’s what they do in Ireland. I presume it’s what they do in unlettered places and lettered places. It’s traditional, and nobody speaks about it.“
Born 6 January 1940 8.10am Paisley, Scotland, he has a 1st house Capricorn Sun trine a 4th house Uranus – so an unsettled childhood; and Uranus in the 4th can suggest a non-biological parent who in his case would be his wife’s husband who brought him up and didn’t know.
More tellingly he has a Fire Grand Trine of a deeply buried Pluto in the 8th trine a Sagittarius Moon trine Mars Jupiter in Aries – so he’s certainly got inspiration and confidence and the ability to extend his influence. But an 8th house Pluto also carries the message of a dominating, controlling grandparent.
It’s lucky for John Byrne that he has so much talent and no health issues. His creative 5th Harmonic is exceptionally strong; as is his 7th Harmonic.
Not sure why he made that comment given they all lived in Glasgow. Presumably Irish initially, but still. Trying to justify a hideous predicament to himself.
I have Irish ancestry and it is not common and something others could use against the Irish would not be the first time. I feel sorry for the man.