A Scottish clan with links to Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe has traced its origins to Ireland.
Clan Munro is a Scottish Highland clan, the name of which was taken from mercenary soldiers originating from near the River Roe in Co Derry.
Previous research had revealed the movie superstar's ancestors were members of the Munro family living in the Scottish region of Moray.
The 2016 project had made use of a sample provided by a male relative of Monroe's grandfather Otis Elmer Monroe - the actress took her mother’s maiden name when choosing her screen alias.
It found a link to John Munro, a soldier from the area around Tain, who travelled to America in the mid-17th century.
And now analysis conducted by the Munro DNA project has shown that the group first originated in south-west Ireland.
Other branches linked to Ireland include the forefathers of the Munros of Foulis, who are the chiefs of the clan.
Hector Munro of Foulis said he was pleased to see his clans' Irish origins finally confirmed.
He told the BBC News: "The origins of name Munro has puzzled historians for generations.
"Tradition has it that we were mercenary soldiers from near the River Roe in Derry, Northern Ireland, hence the name Munro - Mac an Rothaich in Gaelic.
"But it had proved impossible to verify."
Hector also revealed that as part of the project it was discovered that an Irish man who died 1,750 years ago had four different DNA lines with living descendants.
He added: "All four lines can be traced back to south west Ireland."
