Irish people

Irish ethnicity is common in many countries. Many people are descended from Irish emigrants.

Notable Irish people (selection)

• Brian Boru - King of Munster and High King of Ireland, killed 1014
• Diarmait mac Mail na mBo - King of Leinster, killed 1072
• Echmarcach mac Ragnaill, King of Dublin, ruler of the Irish Sea, died after 1061
• Johannes Scotus Eriugena, philosopher, died 877
• Maelruanaidh Mor mac Tadg, founder of the kingdom of Moylurg, fl. 956
• Niall of the Nine Hostages - ancestor of many Irish dynastys; died c.450/455
• Bertie Ahern - Irish Taoiseach since 1997
• Matthew Aylmer, 1st Baron Aylmer - Admiral in British navy, died 1720
• Pierce Brosnan - actor, played James Bond 1994-2005
• James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde - stateman and solider, died 1688
• Michael Collins (Irish leader) - rebel and politician
• Sir Eyre Coote, Commander-in-Chief, British forces, India; died 1783
• Olaf III Guthfrithson, King of Dublin, died 941
• Thomas Connellan - composer, died 1698
• The Corrs - Irish traditional/pop band
• Augusta, Lady Gregory - playwright, co-founder of Abbey Theatre, died 1932
• Colin Farrell, actor, born 1976
• Bob Geldof - singer and activist, born 1954
• James Hoban - designer of the White House, died 1831
• Sir William Johnson - Indian Agent in Colonial America, died 1774
• Geoffrey Keating - historian, died 1643
• Francis Ledwidge - poet and political activist, killed in action 1917
• Phil Lynott - singer-songwriter and rock star, died 1986
• Mary McAleese - President of Ireland since 1997
• Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh - historian and genealogist, murdered 1671
• Dermot MacMurrough - King of Leinster, invited Normans to Ireland; died 1171.
• Paddy Moloney - composer and founder of The Chieftains
• Christy Moore - leading Irish singer-songwriter
• Samantha Mumba, actress and pop star, born 1983
• Dáibhí Ó Bruadair, one of the last of the Bardic poets, died 1698
• Hugh Roe O'Donnell, last de facto Prince of Tir Connall, assasinated 1602
• Turlough O'Carolan - Irish harpist and composer, 1670-1738
• Grace O'Malley - Irish chieftan and pirate, c.1530-c.1603
• Felim O'Neill of Kinard - lawyer and solider, executed 1652
• Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone - last King of Tir Eoghan, died 1616
• Hugh Dubh O'Neill - solider, fl. 1650
• Owen Roe O'Neill - Irish general, died 1649
• Maureen O'Sullivan - Irish actress, Tarzan's Jane
• Sonia O'Sullivan - Olympic athlethe, born 1969
• Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan, solider, died 1693
• Ernest Shackleton - Antartic explorer, died 1922
• Bram Stoker - theatre manager and author of Dracula, died 1912
• Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnel, solier, died 1691
• Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair - last High-King of Ireland, died 1198
• Lorcan Ua Tuathail - Archbishop of Dublin, died 1180
• Charles Stewart Parnell - leader of Irish Home Rule Party, died 1891
• Eamon de Valera - Irish Taoiseach and President, died 1975
• Ninette de Valois - ballerina and founder of the Royal Ballet, died 2001
• U2 - rock band
• see List of Irish people