
She was an acclaimed novelist and playwright renowned for her evocative portrayals of Irish life. Maeve Binchy was born on May 28th, 1940, in Dalkey in Dublin. Her inspirational journey continues to motivate aspiring female scientists worldwide. Her ground-breaking work initially overlooked, Bell Burnell’s relentless dedication and resilience paved the way for later recognition, culminating in numerous accolades and an indisputable status as a luminary in her field. She gained considerable recognition for her momentous discovery of pulsars, fast-rotating neutron stars that significantly altered our understanding of the universe. Burnell was born on July 15th, 1943, in the town of Lurgan in Northern Ireland. Dame Jocelyn Bell BurnellĪnother of the most famous Irish people is astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Through her emotive music and passionate advocacy for various causes, O’Connor continues to leave a profound imprint on the cultural landscape. O’Connor’s unique voice and raw expressiveness, coupled with her controversial public persona, have made her a distinctive figure in the music industry. Her haunting and emotional rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” catapulted her to global stardom, earning her a reputation for compelling and soulful performances. The mighty Sinéad O’Connor was born on December 8th, 1966, in Dublin and she is an internationally recognised singer-songwriter. She’s a four-time Grammy winner in the Best New Age Album category, further highlighting her significant impact on the genre.Įnya’s ethereal music and unique soundscapes have captivated audiences worldwide making her one of the more famous people from Ireland. Her album “A Day Without Rain” became the top-selling new age album of the 2000s in the US. Known for her distinctive fusion of Irish folk, classical elements, and ambient synthesizer sounds, Enya achieved international stardom with hits like “Orinoco Flow” and “Only Time.” EnyaĮnya was born on May 17th, 1961, in Gweedore, County Donegal. The band has won a whopping 22 Grammy Awards, making them one of the most awarded groups in history.īeyond music, Bono is renowned for his activism, particularly in advocating for African debt relief and against AIDS, work that earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. He is an iconic singer-songwriter and philanthropist, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band U2.īono’s powerful lyrics and distinctive vocals helped U2 achieve global fame with some of the more famous Irish songs, like “With or Without You” and “Beautiful Day.” Bonoīono (AKA Paul David Hewson) entered the world on May 10th, 1960 and was born in Dublin. They subsequently managed an epic 800-mile open boat journey to safety.ĭespite never reaching the geographic South Pole, Shackleton’s incredible resilience and leadership under extreme adversity have made him a legendary figure in the annals of exploration. He is particularly remembered for his leadership of the Endurance expedition (1914-1917), where he and his crew survived their ship being crushed by ice.

He was born on February 15th, 1874, in County Kildare and was a renowned polar explorer known for his heroic expeditions to the Antarctic. Ernest ShackletonĮrnest Shackleton is another of the most famous people from Ireland. Particularly, her on-screen partnership with John Wayne in multiple films cemented her status as a Hollywood icon.Īwarded an honorary Oscar in 2014 for her contribution to the film industry, O’Hara’s enduring performances remain a cornerstone of classic cinema. O’Hara’s breakout role came opposite Charles Laughton in “Jamaica Inn” (1939), and her collaboration with director John Ford led to memorable performances in films like “How Green Was My Valley” (1941) and “The Quiet Man” (1952). Maureen O’Hara was born on August 17th, 1920, in Dublin, Ireland, was a celebrated actress known for her fiery red hair and distinctive screen presence. The reason for this is that it’s impossible to measure who are the most famous people from Ireland in any accurate way.

Now, although you’ll find a load of famous people from Ireland below, it’s in no particular order. Who are some famous people from Ireland?.

What famous Irish people have we missed?.The most famous Irish people of all time.
