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.
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.
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.
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.
Irish singer Stephen Gately, who soared to fame in the 1990s with the globally popular band Boyzone, was born to working-class parents in Dublin. He later revealed he was gay, when a friend black-mailed he would reveal Gately’s sexuality. He died of a heart condition at age 33.
Once a global sensation as part of the globally successful Irish boy band Westlife, Shane Filan later launched a solo career with tracks such as Everything to Me. He has also scripted history as one of the Irish singers with the most number-one hits on the UK Singles chart.
Chris de Burgh is an Irish singer-songwriter who soared to fame with his chartbusting singles Don't Pay the Ferryman and The Lady in Red. Surprisingly, he has been more popular in countries such as Norway and Brazil than in the UK. He is also the father of Miss World 2003 Rosanna Davison.
John Grimes forms one half of the Irish pop duo Jedward, which he created with his identical twin, Edward Grimes. The duo first soared to fame with the show The X Factor. Known for their tracks such as Lipstick, the duo has also been part of reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother.
Irish pop singer Kian Egan soared to fame as a member of the boy band Westlife. A skilled pianist, he is well-versed in other instruments, too. He has also coached contestants on The Voice of Ireland and was a regular presenter on This Morning's Hub. He is married to actor/singer Jodi Albert.
Once part of the popular Irish boy band Westlife, Nicky Byrne was initially a professional football player who was part of the Republic of Ireland junior team and the FA Youth Cup-winning team of Leeds United. He later also participated in shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.
Keith Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter, drummer, television and radio presenter, and actor. He is best known for his association with the now-defunct Irish boy band, Boyzone. Apart from being a celebrity, Keith Duffy has also been an awareness campaigner for autism. He also organizes fundraising events to benefit a charity organization called Irish Autism Action.
Born to Irish musician Robert Strong, Andrew Strong, too, proved himself as a talented singer. He was in his teens when he secured a BAFTA and a Grammy nomination for his role and his vocals in the musical comedy-drama The Commitments. He has also been part of The Bone Yard Boys.
Legendary Irish comedian Brendan Grace had popularized his character, Bottler. He was also known for the sitcom Father Ted. Initially a musician, he started his own band at 18 and later also created chartbusters such as The Combine Harvester. He lost his battle with lung cancer at 68.
Apart from being a talented musician, associated with the pop band The Blizzards, Niall Breslin has also been a rugby player, a Gaelic footballer, and an award-winning author. He is one of Ireland’s best-known mental health advocates, too, with his own mental-health podcasts, and owns the charity A Lust For Life.