Famous Irish Men

If there is one thing that ties all Irish men together besides their gift of gab and love for Irish beers, it is their ingenuity and their incredible ability to do all things great. Ask an Irish about his country's resourcefulness and he would happily rattle off a long list of Celtic creations like the pedal-powered wheel chair or the solar-powered flashlight. While these Irish invention might sound funny to many, there is little denying or doubting the ingenuity of the sons of Erin who have immeasurably contributed to our lives in unfathomable ways. From Joseph Murphy's flavored potato chips to Robert Percival's soda water and from John Phillip Holland's submarine to Arthur Guinness ales, the world indeed has a lot to be thankful for to the Irish. Then there is this distinguished lot of heralded scribes like Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, James Joyce and Sir George Bernard Shaw who gave Ireland a remarkable identity in the world of literature. With so much to know and explore about the Irish, let us dig deep into the lives of famous Irish men and read their biographies, timeline, trivia, and interesting facts.
Vote for Your Favourite Irish Men

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
Conor McGregor
(Mixed Martial Artist and Former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Double-Champion)
Conor McGregor
194
Birthdate: July 14, 1988
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland

The highest paid fighter of Ultimate Fighting Championship, Conor McGregor is one of the most famous athletes in the world. His ascent from humble beginnings to becoming ‘The Notorious’ has been fuelled by McGregor’s mastery of martial arts, skilful fighting style and powerful punches. He is the first fighter to hold both UFC Featherweight Championship and UFC Lightweight Championship simultaneously.

 2 
Oscar Wilde
(One of the Greatest Playwrights of the 'Victorian Era')
Oscar Wilde
75
Birthdate: October 16, 1854
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: November 30, 1900

Widely regarded as one of the most popular writers of all time, Oscar Wilde is best remembered for his plays and epigrams. He was also one of the best-known personalities during his time as he was popular for his conversational skills, flamboyant dressing sense, and biting wit. Imprisoned in 1895 for consensual homosexual acts, Oscar Wilde was pardoned posthumously in 2017.

 3 
Daniel Day-Lewis
(British Actor and Only Person to Have Won Three 'Academy Awards for Best Actor')
Daniel Day-Lewis
54
Birthdate: April 29, 1957
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kensington, London, England

Retired English actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, is widely regarded as one of the best cinema actors. Known for his dedication to method acting, he has entertained audience with both positive and negative roles. His work in movies like My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln and Gangs of New York have won him fame, critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards.

Recommended Lists:
 4 
Martin Sheen
(Best Known for His Role in the Film 'Apocalypse Now' and TV Series 'The West Wing')
Martin Sheen
63
Birthdate: August 3, 1940
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, United States

One of the most celebrated actors of Hollywood, Martin Sheen has won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes. Best known to fans as Captain Benjamin Willard from Apocalypse Now, he has also been involved in countless protests against nuclear power and strongly opposes abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia.

Recommended Lists:
 5 
Bono
(Lead Vocalist and Primary Lyricist of The Rock Band 'U2')
Bono
67
Birthdate: May 10, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
U2 frontman Bono he has earned more than 20 Grammys and has been named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the band. An avid philanthropist, he has also been associated with projects such as the ONE Campaign and Product Red, to aid countries such as Africa.
 6 
Michael Gambon
(Best Known for His Role as Professor ‘Albus Dumbledore’ in the ‘Harry Potter' Film Series)
Michael Gambon
28
Birthdate: October 19, 1940
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cabra, Ireland

Actor Michael Gambon is best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the popular Harry Potter movie series. Not surprisingly, Gambon is one of the most recognized faces in the world and a favorite actor among Harry Potter fans. Ranked 28th in Ireland's greatest film actors list published by The Irish Times, Gambon was knighted for hisservices to drama, in 1998.

 7 
Graham Norton
(Best Known for His Comedy Chat Show ‘The Graham Norton Show’)
Graham Norton
30
Birthdate: April 4, 1963
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Clondalkin, Ireland

Irish television and radio presenter, comedian, and actor, Graham Norton, is an eight-time BAFTA TV Award winner. He is best known for his comedy chat show The Graham Norton Show. His innuendo-laden dialogue and flamboyant presentation style have made him a fan favorite. He is openly gay and is the winner of one Gaytime Award.

 8 
Cillian Murphy
(One of the Greatest Irish Actors Who is Known for His Collaboration With Director Christopher Nolan)
Cillian Murphy
104
Birthdate: May 25, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Douglas, Ireland

Cillian Murphy is one of the greatest Irish film actors. He has done some of his best work in collaboration with director Christopher Nolan. The includes The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and Dunkirk. Cillian was also the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the rock band The Sons of Mr. Green Genes

 9 
George Bernard Shaw
(Irish playwright Who Won the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature)
George Bernard Shaw
26
Birthdate: July 26, 1856
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Portobello, Dublin, Ireland
Died: November 2, 1950

Nobel Prize-winning playwright and author George Bernard Shaw was best known for his realism and his support for women’s rights and socialism. His ideas gave rise to the word “Shavian.” His drama Pygmalion inspired the musical My Fair Lady. His other notable works include Candida and Man and Superman.

 10 
Michael Fassbender
(German-Irish Actor and Racing Driver)
Michael Fassbender
59
Birthdate: April 2, 1977
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Heidelberg, Germany

Michael Fassbender is a critically-acclaimed Irish-German actor best known for playing a sex addict in the psychological erotic drama film Shame. Apart from being an actor, Michael is also a well-known racing driver; he started his auto racing career in 2017 and currently races for Proton Competition in the European Le Mans Series.

Recommended Lists:
 11 
Pierce Brosnan
(Best Known for His Role of the Secret Agent 'James Bond' in the 'Bond' Film Series)
Pierce Brosnan
52
Birthdate: May 16, 1953
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Drogheda, Ireland

Irish-American actor and film producer Pierce Brosnan is best known for playing secret agent James Bond in the Bond film series. As a young man, he trained at the Drama Centre London and made his acting debut soon after. First gaining fame as a TV actor, he didn’t take long to enter films as well.

 12 
Roy Keane
(Retired Footballer Who was Considered One of the Best Midfielders of His Generation)
Roy Keane
26
Birthdate: August 10, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland

One of the most successful footballers from Ireland, Roy Keane became one of the stars of Manchester United. A talented midfielder, he has helped the team win multiple FA Cups and Premier League championships. Post-retirement, he has also managed teams such as Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

 13 
James Joyce
(One of the Most Influential Writers of the 20th Century)
James Joyce
15
Birthdate: February 2, 1882
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rathgar, Ireland
Died: January 13, 1941

James Joyce was an Irish novelist, poet, teacher, short story writer, and literary critic. Widely considered one of the 20th century's most important and influential writers, James Joyce contributed immensely to the modernist avant-garde movement. Joyce's work has influenced several scholars and writers, such as Jorge Luis Borges, Salman Rushdie, Seán Ó Ríordáin, Flann O'Brien, John Updike, and Cormac McCarthy.

 14 
Colin Farrell
48
Birthdate: May 31, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Castleknock, Ireland

Colin Farrell is one of the most popular and celebrated Irish actors. He was ranked fifth in The Irish Times newspaper's Ireland's greatest film actors list in 2020. Known for his casanova image, Colin has also had drug addiction problems and suffers from insomnia. In 2006, he filed a lawsuit against Nicole Narain for releasing their 13-minute sex tape.

 15 
Sir Ernest Shackleton
(Anglo-Irish Antarctic Explorer)
Sir Ernest Shackleton
14
Birthdate: February 15, 1874
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kilkea, Ireland
Died: January 5, 1922

Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is remembered for leading three British expeditions to the Antarctic. He was a key figure of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. An expert in navigation, he had also been a part of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Discovery expedition. He was knighted by King Edward VII for his achievements.

 16 
Richard Harris
(One of Ireland's Greatest Film Actors)
Richard Harris
24
Birthdate: October 1, 1930
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Limerick, Ireland
Died: October 25, 2002

A multitalented personality, Richard Harris was an Irish actor, singer, director and writer. He began as a stage actor and later moved to films. His famous films include This Sporting Life, Camelot, A Man Called Horse, Gladiator and the first two Harry Potter films. He released numerous musical albums, published a poetry book and ventured into film direction with Bloomfield.

 17 
Niall Horan
(Irish Singer-Songwriter - A Member of the English-Irish Boy Band 'One Direction')
Niall Horan
44
Birthdate: September 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mullingar, Ireland
Niall Horan performed as part of the boyband One Direction, formed on The X Factor, till it went on a hiatus. He then launched his solo career with the album Flicker and hits such as This Town. He has marched for the BLM movement and has supported UNICEF's Soccer Aid.
 18 
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
(Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1828 - 1830, 1834))
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
14
Birthdate: May 1, 1769
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: September 14, 1852
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, served as the British prime minister twice. He also served as the governor of Seringapatam and Mysore, and won the Battle of Assaye. He led the Hundred Days War and along with the Prussian army, won the Battle of Waterloo, defeating Napoleon.
 19 
W B Yeats
(One of the Greatest English-Language Poets of the 20th Century and 1923 Nobel Prize for Literature Winner)
W B Yeats
21
Birthdate: June 13, 1865
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sandymount, Ireland
Died: January 28, 1939
Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet, playwright, and prose writer W. B. Yeats is remembered as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. Known for works such as The Tower, he also helped establish the Abbey Theatre. An occult enthusiast, he was also part of The Ghost Club.
 20 
Erwin Schrödinger
(Austrian Physicist Who Made Important Contributions to the Development of Quantum Mechanics)
Erwin Schrödinger
20
Birthdate: August 12, 1887
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Erdberg, Vienna, Austria
Died: January 4, 1961
Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger, is best known for the "Schrödinger's cat" experiment, or the Schrodinger equation. His book What Is Life? explored genetics through physics. The Nobel Prize winner also wrote on a variety of topics, such as color theory and thermodynamics, and tried to create a unified field theory.
Recommended Lists:
 21 
Brendan Gleeson
(Actor and Director Best Known for His Role as ‘Alastor Moody’ in the ‘Harry Potter’ Films)
Brendan Gleeson
18
Birthdate: March 29, 1955
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

One of the most talented Irish film actors of all time, Brendan Gleeson gained international attention after playing Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter movie series. He was ranked 18th in The Irish Times' Ireland's greatest film actors list in 2020. Brendan Gleeson is also credited with inspiring his sons Domhnall and Brian Gleeson to become actors.

 22 
Domhnall Gleeson
(Known for His Role as Bill Weasley in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & Part 2')
Domhnall Gleeson
27
Birthdate: May 12, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

Born to award-winning Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson initially gained fame with his Tony-nominated role in the Broadway play The Lieutenant of Inishmore. However, he is best known to audiences as Bill Weasley from the Harry Potter film series. He has also been part of series such as Black Mirror.

 23 
George II of Great Britain
(Former King of Great Britain & Ireland (1727 - 1760))
George II of Great Britain
16
Birthdate: November 10, 1683
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hanover, Germany
Died: October 25, 1760
George II was the king of Great Britain from 1727 to 1760. He had negligible control over his country’s policies, as the Parliament took most of the significant decisions back then. His participation in the 1743 Battle of Dettingen made him the last British monarch to fight in a battle.
 24 
Samuel Beckett
(Irish Novelist Who Won the 1969 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Samuel Beckett
5
Birthdate: April 13, 1906
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Foxrock, Ireland
Died: December 22, 1989

Samuel Beckett was a legendary Nobel Prize-winning Irish postmodernist and minimalist playwright and author, regarded as a prominent figure of the "Theatre of the Absurd.” He is best known for the play Waiting for Godot and for his tragi-comic themes and black comedy. He was also the Saoi of Aosdána.

 25 
Robert Sheehan
(Irish Actor Best Known for His TV Shows: ‘Misfits’ and 'The Umbrella Academy')
Robert Sheehan
36
Birthdate: January 7, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Portlaoise, Ireland

An Irish actor who is counted among the country’s greatest actors, Robert Sheehan has received multiple Irish Film and Television Award and BAFTA Award nominations. Interested in performing from a young age, he studied film and television before beginning his career. He is known for questioning gender norms in the acting industry.

 26 
Aidan Gillen
15
Birthdate: April 24, 1968
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Aidan Gillen is best known as Petyr Baelish from the iconic series Game of Thrones and as Tommy Carcetti from The Wire. He has also appeared in Project Blue Book, Peaky Blinders, and the Maze Runner movies. A talented theater actor, he has earned a Drama Desk Award nomination, too.
 27 
Hozier
(Irish Singer-Songwriter)
Hozier
28
Birthdate: March 17, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bray, Ireland
Irish blues/rock singer Hozier is best known for his track Take Me to Church, which became a Billboard Hot 100-charter and rocked the charts of several other countries apart from Ireland, such as Belgium and Canada. His songs exhibit religious imagery. He was previously part of the choral group Anúna.
 28 
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
18
Birthdate: July 27, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Drimnagh, Dublin, Ireland
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is best known for his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Elvis Presley in the miniseries Elvis. Fans also loved him as King Henry VIII in The Tudors and as the titular character in Dracula. The Irish Post Legend Award-winner has worked with Hope Foundation and endorsed Hugo Boss.
 29 
Finn Balor
(Irish Professional Wrestler)
Finn Balor
13
Birthdate: July 25, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bray, Ireland

Irish wrestler Fergal Devitt performs as Finn Bálor for the NXT brand under WWE. He has won titles such as the NXT Championship, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. Also known as Prince Devitt, he co-founded NWA Ireland, his own promotion.

 30 
Jonathan Swift
(Satirist & Author of 'Gulliver's Travels',' A Tale of a Tub' and 'A Modest Proposal')
Jonathan Swift
14
Birthdate: November 30, 1667
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: October 19, 1745

Eighteenth-century essayist, poet, and pamphleteer Jonathan Swift is remembered for his iconic works such as A Tale of a Tub, A Modest Proposal, and Gulliver's Travels. One of the world’s greatest satirists, he gave rise to the deadpan Swiftian style. He had also been the Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

 31 
The Edge
(Lead Guitarist and Keyboardist of the Rock Band 'U2')
The Edge
12
Birthdate: August 8, 1961
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Barking, London, England

David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, is a musician and songwriter. He first gained fame as the keyboardist, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist of the rock band U2. He is known for his signature style of guitar playing. Besides music, he is an advocate for human rights and is involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. 

 32 
Aidan Turner
(Irish Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘Dante Gabriel Rossetti’ in the TV Series ‘Desperate Romantics’)
Aidan Turner
25
Birthdate: June 9, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Clondalkin, Ireland
Aidan Turner is best known as Ross Poldark from the series Poldark and Kili from The Hobbit movie franchise. He has also played English poet Dante in Desperate Romantics. A skilled stage artist, he has also made waves in the Dublin theater scene, appearing in plays such as Titus Andronicus.
 33 
Chris O'Dowd
(Actor)
Chris O'Dowd
15
Birthdate: October 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 34 
Gabriel Byrne
(One of Ireland's Greatest Film Actors)
Gabriel Byrne
6
Birthdate: May 12, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Walkinstown, Dublin, Ireland
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne is best known for his Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated role of Dr. Paul Weston in the series In Treatment. He has also been part of movies such as Stigmata and End of Days. He is also a seasoned theater actor and has narrated several audiobooks.
 35 
Martin McDonagh
(Playwright, Screenwriter, Filmmaker)
Martin McDonagh
7
Birthdate: March 26, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Camberwell

The director and writer of the Academy Award-winning short film, Six Shooter, Martin McDonagh is also well known as a playwright and stage director. The Beauty Queen of Leenane is one of the his noted works. The crime drama film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was another successful venture of McDonagh. He says he prefers films to plays.

 36 
Rory Gallagher
(57th Greatest Guitarist of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine)
Rory Gallagher
7
Birthdate: March 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ballyshannon, Ireland
Died: June 14, 1995

Known for his powerful blues rock performances, Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher was part of the band Taste. Though The Rolling Stones offered him an opportunity to replace guitarist Mick Taylor, he rejected it. A heavy drinker, he died of complications after a liver transplant surgery at age 47.

 37 
Phil Lynott
(Lead Vocalist of the Irish Hard Rock Band 'Thin Lizzy')
Phil Lynott
13
Birthdate: August 20, 1949
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England
Died: January 4, 1986
Phil Lynott was the frontman of the rock band Thin Lizzy, which delivered hits such as Whiskey in the Jar and Jailbreak. After the group disbanded, Phil had a successful solo career, published two poetry books, and led the band Grand Slam. He struggled with heroin addiction throughout his life.
 38 
Sheamus
(Irish Professional Wrestler)
Sheamus
14
Birthdate: January 28, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cabra, Ireland
Irish wrestler Stephen Farrelly, better known as “Sheamus,” performs for Raw, under WWE. He is a four-time world champion and the first Irish WWE champion. He has won five tag-team championships with his partner Cesaro. He has also appeared in movies such as The Buddy Games and The Escapist.
 39 
Bob Geldof
(Lead Singer of The Irish Rock Band 'The Boomtown Rats')
Bob Geldof
16
Birthdate: October 5, 1951
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dún Laoghaire, Ireland
Irish singer Bob Geldof gained fame as part of the rock band Boomtown Rats, which delivered hits such as Rat Trap. He formed the charity supergroup Band Aid and organized concerts to eradicate poverty in Africa. He also appeared as Pink in the movie Pink Floyd – The Wall.
 40 
Jacksepticeye
(Irish YouTuber Who is Known for His Vlogs and Comedic' Let's Play' Series)
Jacksepticeye
25
Birthdate: February 7, 1990
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Athlone, Ireland

Irish YouTuber, Jacksepticeye, has gained massive online fame with his vlogs and comedic Let's Play series. His channel was the most-subscribed Irish channel as of December 2020. He began his YouTube career by posting gameplay videos and gained millions of subscribers within a few years. He is a philanthropist and often raises money for charitable causes.

 41 
Michael Collins
(Politician)
Michael Collins
7
Birthdate: October 16, 1890
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Died: August 22, 1922
Revolutionary leader Michael Collins was a significant figure in the Irish struggle for independence. He was the director of intelligence of the Irish army and was responsible for attacks such as the "Bloody Sunday" killings of British agents. He negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty but was assassinated by anti-Treaty rebels.
 42 
Bram Stoker
(Irish Author Best Known for His Horror Novel ‘Dracula’)
Bram Stoker
9
Birthdate: November 8, 1847
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland
Died: April 20, 1912
Irish author Bram Stoker wrote the iconic Gothic novel Dracula, which has inspired scores of movies over the years. The Victorian-era author also served as the personal assistant of actor Sir Henry Irving and managed the Lyceum Theatre, which was owned by Irving. He had also written many short stories.
 43 
Stuart Townsend
(Irish Actor & Director Known for His Role as ‘Lestat de Lioncourt’ in the Film ‘Queen of the Damned’)
Stuart Townsend
5
Birthdate: December 15, 1972
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Howth, County Dublin, Ireland
Stuart Townsend is best known as Lestat de Lioncourt from Queen of the Damned and as Dorian Gray from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He quit acting in 2015 and became a car garage owner in Costa Rica but later returned with the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
 44 
Shane MacGowan
(Lead Singer and Songwriter of Celtic Punk Band 'The Pogues')
Shane MacGowan
13
Birthdate: December 25, 1957
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Pembury, Kent, England
Died: November 30, 2023

Shane MacGowan is an Irish-English recording artist and vocalist. He is credited with co-founding popular bands, such as The Pogues and Shane MacGowan and the Popes. He is also known for his collaboration with artists like Sinéad O'Connor, Kirsty MacColl, and Nick Cave. In 2018, he was honored with the Ivor Novello Inspiration Award for creating inspiring music. 

 45 
Robbie Keane
(Irish Professional Football Coach and Former Player Who Played as a Striker)
Robbie Keane
8
Birthdate: July 8, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland

The most capped footballer of the Irish national team, Robbie Keane is also Ireland’s top goal-scorer, with 68 international goals. Starting his career at 17, he was initially part of the English league system and played for teams such as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. He later also represented LA Galaxy.

 46 
Seamus Heaney
(Poet, Playwright & Translator Who Received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Seamus Heaney
5
Birthdate: April 13, 1939
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Castledawson, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Died: August 30, 2013

Seamus Heaney was an Irish poet, translator, and playwright. One of the most respected poets of his generation, Heaney was honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. He also won other prestigious awards, such as the Eric Gregory Award. Several years after his death, Seamus Heaney is still considered one of the main contributors to poetry in Ireland.

 47 
Michael Flatley
(Irish-American Dancer and Choreographer Known for His Work in Shows: 'Lord of the Dance' and 'Riverdance')
Michael Flatley
4
Birthdate: July 16, 1958
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Born in Chicago, Irish-origin entertainer Michael Flatley took to dancing inspired by his step dancer mother and music-loving father. Initially a gambler and stockbroker, he later performed with The Chieftains and then choreographed the globally renowned show Riverdance. He later launched shows such as Lord of the Dance and Celtic Tiger.

 48 
Patrick McGoohan
(Actor Known for His Roles as ‘Dr. Paul Ruth’ in Scanners (1981) & ‘King Edward I’ in Braveheart (1995))
Patrick McGoohan
4
Birthdate: March 19, 1928
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Astoria, New York, United States
Died: January 13, 2009

Though born in the US, Patrick McGoohan moved to the US with his family as a child and later became one of Britain’s best-known actors. Fans loved him as John Drake in Danger Man and as Number Six in The Prisoner. He is also known for his Emmy-winning performance in the series Columbo.

 49 
Brian McFadden
(Original Member of the Boy Band 'Westlife' From 1998-2004)
Brian McFadden
2
Birthdate: April 12, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Artane, Dublin, Ireland

Once the face of Irish boy band Westlife, Brian McFadden later went solo. Starting his career with live pop-RnB gigs in Dublin clubs, he later mastered soft rock, too. He was a judge on Australia's Got Talent and also participated in shows such as Dancing on Ice and The Jump.

 50 
Colin O’Donoghue
(Actor and Musician Known for His Role as ‘Captain Hook’ in the TV Series ‘Once Upon a Time’)
Colin O’Donoghue
5
Birthdate: January 26, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Drogheda, Ireland

Identified as the “Best New Talent” of Ireland at the age of 23, Colin Arthur O'Donoghue attracted the attention of TV viewers with his performance in the TV show Once Upon a Time aired on ABC network and went on to star in the movie, The Rite, and Netflix series, Heartstrings. The actor and musician was also a member of the Irish band The Enemies.