Music can change the world because it can change people.
Bono
Ireland has produced more than its fair share of iconic personalities. They have left an indelible mark on various spheres, including entertainment and sports. You might already know these names, perhaps through your English course online, but didn't realise they were Irish. This article gives some background and puts a story to these iconic names.
Overview of Famous Irish People
Here's a snapshot of the most famous Irish people that we'll discover in more detail throughout the article:
| Name | Field | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Bono | Music | Lead vocalist of U2; 22 Grammy Awards; TIME Person of the Year |
| Conor McGregor | Sports (MMA) | UFC champion in two weight divisions; record-breaking pay-per-view fights |
| Katie Taylor | Sports (Boxing) | Olympic gold medalist; undisputed champion in two weight divisions |
| Pierce Brosnan | Acting | Played James Bond in 4 films |
| Sinead O’Connor | Music | Hit single "Nothing Compares 2 U"; known for her activism |
| Colin Farrell | Acting | Star of films like "In Bruges" and "Miami Vice" |
| Brendan Gleeson | Acting | Known for "Braveheart, "Harry Potter, and and "In Bruges" |
| Jonathan Rhys-Meyers | Acting | Starred in "Match Point" and "The Tudors" |
| Liam Neeson | Acting | Starred in "Schindler's List" and "Taken" |
| Grian Chatten | Music | Frontman of post-punk band Fontaines D.C. |
| Cillian Murphy | Acting | Known for "Peaky Blinders" and Oscar-winning role in "Oppenheimer" |
| Dolores O’Riordan | Music | Lead singer of The Cranberries; hits include "Linger" and "Zombie" |
| Barry Keoghan | Acting | Known for roles in "Love/Hate" and "Saltburn" |
| Seamus Heaney | Poetry/Literature | Nobel Prize-winning poet; iconic figure in Irish literature |
| Michael Collins | Politics/History | Leader during Irish War of Independence; instrumental in founding Irish Free State |
| Mary Robinson | Politics | Former President of Ireland; United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Niall Horan | Music | Former member of One Direction; successful solo music career |
| Saoirse Ronan | Acting | Oscar-nominated actress; known for roles in "Lady Bird" and "Little Women" |
Bono
There is no clearer sign of achieving icon status than when four letters are all it takes to jog your memory. We aren’t beating around the bush with the first mention on our list; this man needs no introduction.
Bono's real name is Paul David Hewson, and he is a native of Dublin.
He is one of the world's most celebrated rock stars. His first career move was as the vocalist and main songwriter for the legendary Irish rock band U2. His singing style and profound lyrics have enchanted audiences globally.
More than 157 million records
Multiple awards: 22 Grammy Awards
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction 2005.
Bono's most impressive accolades come outside of music. He's earned awards such as Frances Légion d'honneur, an honorary knighthood from Britain, the Fulbright Prize for International Understanding. In 2005, Bono was one of TIME magazine's Person of the Year, for his work on global issues. He's destined to figure among Ireland's most important figures, one day.
Conor McGregor
While few people have ever risen to the level of fame as Conor McGregor, even fewer have done it in the time span of the Irish showman.
McGregor captured the interest of the Irish and UFC fans around the world for his impressive results in the octagon and his alluring stage presence.
His journey began back in 2008, when he started his training at the well-known Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin. His coach, John Kavanagh, set the stage for his future achievements.
McGregor's career peak came in 2016 when the Irishman became a world champion in two weight divisions. He defeated Eddie Alvarez to claim the UFC Lightweight title, a feat no other fighter in the history of the sport had accomplished.
Conor McGregor’s match against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 broke records, with 2.4 million pay-per-view purchases.
Love him or hate him, McGregor’s influence on martial arts is undeniable. We credit him with popularising MMA and UFC on a global scale. He holds the record for the highest pay-per-view numbers in the sport's history.
Katie Taylor
At just 15 years old, Taylor made history by participating in the first officially sanctioned female boxing match in Ireland. She defeated Alanna Audley (from Belfast) at the National Stadium. This marked the beginning of her remarkable journey in the sport. She boxed in the amateur ranks for years, and then:
2016
Katie turns pro
She was 30 years old
2017
Katie wins the World Boxing Association (WBA) Lightweight title
2018
Katie claims the International Boxing Federation title
Becomes the Unified Champion in her division
2022
Katie becomes the Undisputed Lightweight title-holder
By defeating Amanda Serrano at Madison Garden
2023
Katie breaks her 'undefeated' streak
Chantelle Cameron handed her her only loss
2024
Katie faces a rematch with Amanda Serrano
Serrano lost again.
2025
The trilogy Taylor-Serrano match
Scheduled for July 11
Katie Taylor has certainly come a long way since her humble beginnings at St Fergal's Boxing Club. From a former boathouse in Bray, to the biggest stage on the planet! Taylor would be a no-brainer to include on any list of legendary Irish women.
Pierce Brosnan
Few countries can claim a James Bond for their own, but Ireland can cross the role off their checklist.
Pierce Brosnan, who played the English spy, is Irish. He was born in Drogheda and grew up in County Meath near Navan, northwest of Dublin, in Ireland.
His father left the family when he was still an infant. After his mother moved to London for work. As a result, he was largely brought up by his grandparants.
Brosnan eventually rejoined his mother, and signed up with a theatre in London, after seeing a fire-eating workshop. Scouted by a circus agent, he enrolled in classes at London’s Drama Centre.
His face would become world-famous when he landed the role of James Bond. He played the English secret agent in 4 films before passing the torch on to Daniel Craig.
Sinead O’Connor
On and off the stage, Sinead always stood up for what she believed in. She was always vocal about anything unjust in the world.
If you are one of the select few who doesn’t recognise the Irish icon by her name, you most certainly will be familiar with her hits. Do 'I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got' and "Nothing Compares 2 U" sound familiar?
The latter title topped Billboard charts around the world.
O'Connor's contributions to the music industry were recognised with a long list of awards that she collected throughout her career including four Grammy nods, two Brit Awards and a World Music Award.
Although 'The Lion and the Cobra' didn't spawn any hit singles, it received acclaim upon its release in 1987. But, it surpassed 500,000 copies sold, achieving platinum status.
Her activism brought her as much (or more) scrutiny as her music. As a result, the media followed her everywhere, until her sudden passing in 2023.
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell was born in the Castleknock area of Dublin, in 1976. He loved football but started his artistic career auditioning for boy bands.
Colin's auditions were unsuccessful so he travelled to Australia for a year with a friend. While working in various jobs, he discovered his love of theatre.
On his return to Ireland, he decided to become an actor.
Today, Colin Farrell is a huge movie star. It’s famous for films such as 'Phone Game', 'Minority Report', 'Miami Vice', 'Alexander', etc.
He starred in the hit film, 'In Bruges', with Brendan Gleeson. By the way, that film's director, Martin McDonagh, is also Irish.
Brendan Gleeson
Did you know that Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody (Harry Potter) is Irish? Fittingly, this famous Irish actor fills that role. Born in 1955 in Dublin, Brendan Gleeson became interested in acting from a young age.
After several years on stage, he made his way to the big screen. He landed his first big role alongside Mel Gibson, as William Wallace’s right-hand man in Braveheart. Thanks to this success, Brendan Gleeson was included in filming for Hollywood blockbusters like Mission Impossible 2, and Gangs of New York.
The Professor Moody actor was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 2009 for his role in the film 'In Bruges' alongside his compatriot Colin Farrell.
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Actor, singer, and model Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has more than one string to his bow. Born in 1977 in Dublin, to a musical family, he was almost predestined to head into the arts.
He's lived through some troubling events, including his parents’ divorce and the death of his mother. He’s also struggled with alcoholism.
He left school to hang around pool halls. That's where a casting director found him, and pushed him to become an actor.
He acted in film such as 'Match Point', 'August Rush', 'From Paris with Love', 'Velvet Goldmine', 'A Grand Affair', and 'Mission Impossible III'. He played Elvis in a miniseries about the King of Rock. He was recently in the series 'Vikings'.
Tommy Tiernan
We first met Tommy Tiernan in the 1990s, when he kicked off his stand-up comedy journey in Ireland. His special mix of observations and captivating storytelling quickly earned him a fan base. His talent for connecting with viewers through relatable, thought-provoking content solidified his status as one of Ireland's most esteemed comedians.
Apart from his knee-slapping stories and stage presence, Tienan also makes a compelling interviewer and has a way of getting the most interesting conversations out of his guests. His ability to excel as a personality as opposed to in a specific role makes him one of the most versatile inclusions on the list.
Jack Gleeson
Jack Gleeson (no relation to Brendan) was born in 1992 in Cork, Ireland, making him one of the younger Irish actors on this list. He started acting classes at the age of 7, and started playing small roles in films like Batman Begins and Shrooms.
Jack also featured in the Irish series Killinaskully. A bit later, he played Joffrey Baratheon in the Game of Thrones series. The character was hated, but his acting was loved, making him a global star.
Jack Gleeson struggled with fame, and at the end of the show, he said that he’d return to his studies. He attended philosophy and theology classes at Trinity College Dublin. The actor wants to stay out of the limelight, but continues to act in amateur productions for his own enjoyment.
Liam Neeson
This Irish screen legend is renowned for his work in Schindler's List, Rob Roy, and as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars.
Liam Neeson embodies everything it means to be Irish. At home, he is best known for playing the role of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
There are few actors in the world that have roles as renowned as Liam Neeson. If you ask anyone on the island of Ireland or beyond to cite some of his most famous lines, they will likely have little difficulty.
I do have a very particular set of skills. Skills I've acquired over a very long career.
Liam Neeson, From Taken
Indeed, he has, and not just as a character in that film. Fans around the world pay to see this legend in any movie, for his versatility and acting range. Whether he’s fighting bad guys or playing a historic figure, you can expect excellence from the Irish Icon.
Grian Chatten
Looking to the next generation of Irish celebrities, Grian Chatten is one name that has captured the attention of music lovers across the world. After he graduated from The British and Irish Modern Music Institute in Dublin, Chatten formed the post-punk band Fontaines D.C., in 2017.
The band’s first album, "Dogrel", hit the music scene in 2019, to rave reviews.
Their debut propelled the band into the spotlight.
The band have enjoyed plenty of recognition for their richness and authenticity to date and show no sign of letting the foot off the pedal going forward. Grian Chetten is certainly a name to watch out for over the years to come!
Cillian Murphy
These days, it’s rare that someone of such star power as Cillian doesn’t participate on social media. But, that seems to be a part of this Irish celebrity's allure, which attracts fans from around the world. We might say it's reflection of the family man’s humble nature that would lead many to believe he is truly from a different time.
His career skyrocketed after his role in the Irish war drama 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'. If that title doesn't ring a bell with you, you will know him as Tommy Shelby in the BBC series 'Peaky Blinders'.
And, if that still doesn't trigger any memories, you'll know him as J. Robert Oppenheimer, from Nolan’s film. Cillian earned his first Academy Award, and the Oscar for Best Actor for his work. Alongside Liam Neeson, Cillian counts among the top Irish actors.
Dolores O’Riordan
As The Cranberries' lead singer, Dolores wrote the band’s popular songs, including 'Linger', one of their first hits. But it was 'Zombie' that made the band internationally famous.
Born in Ballybricken, in 1971, this singer had a difficult life. Her successful music career doesn't hint at that much, though. Dolores joined The Cranberries in 1989, after the lead singer left the group. She was just 18, at the time, but quickly found her place in the music world.
The band went on hiatus between 2003 and 2009 so that the members could focus on solo careers. The band reformed in 2009 and were together until 2018, the year Dolores died.
Barry Keoghan
To the rest of the world, Barry Keoghan seems to have come out of nowhere. Especially after landing enormous roles over the past few years. But, at home, he is a star that the Irish have had their eyes on for quite some time.
As a teenager, he came onto the scene with his role in the Irish crime series “Love Hate”, which garnered attention around the world.
This Dublin native earns praise for his abilities and commitment to his craft.
His biggest role to date, in ‘Salt Burn’, has made the world take notice of him. Today, Barry Keoghan is sought after in Hollywood, as a versatile actor who delivers captivating performance. His talent has propelled him to the forefront of the entertainment industry.
Seamus Heaney
This Irish poet may be the most famous bard the world has never known. Born in Tamniaran, Northern Ireland, Seamus began composing verses while studying at university.
He had a lot of inspiration to draw from. First, he turned inwards, to write about his brother's death ('The Blackbird of Glanmore' and 'Mid-Term Break'.) Then, he looked around, at all the turbulence in his country, and found much to write about.
His 'Storm on the Island' barely disguises the political turmoil Ireland was going through, at the time of writing. That poem features in his first published work, 'Death of a Naturalist'.
He would publish 18 poetry collections over the course of his career, and several prose collections, as well. Still, it was his early work that won him the most praise, culminating in the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995. Awards aside, Mr Heaney deserves his place among Ireland's most famous writers.
Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson hails from County Mayo, the daughter of two doctors, in a house full of brothers.
She spent her entire career in politics, first in Seanad Éireann, and then cast herself as a presidential candidate. Her 23-year Senate career ended when she claimed the presidency, an office she held for 7 years.
After her term as Ireland's leader, she worked on humanitarian causes, including a 5-year stint as High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms Robinson is a famous Irish politician, and a woman of many firsts:
- (among the) first women to study law at Trinity College Dublin (graduating with first-class honours)
- Ireland's first female president
- the first Labour Party candidate, and first non-Fianna-Fáil candidate to win the presidency
- the first Irish president to visit Queen Elizabeth II
- the first Irish president to host the Christian Brothers at her official residence
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