Famous Irish Actors & Actresses


Richard Harris was a native Limerickman, born in 1930 and had a long and distinguished career in the film and stage industry. He first came to prominence in the film about English Rugby League Football called “This Sporting Life“, which was soon followed with starring roles in A Man Called Horse, The Cassandra Crossing, The Field, Unforgiven, The Patriot Game Trilogies and of course his ever-popular role in Harry Potter.
Harris was a rugby fanatic and a keen follower of Munster rugby. He seemed also to relish his reputation for drinking and womanising, which is verified by his own quote:
" I often sit back and think, I wish I'd done that , and find out later that I already have".

Pierce Brosnan - born in 1952, Brosnan made his name in the hit television series Remington Steele. He has gone on to make many well received movies but is probably best known for his role as James Bond in Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.


Gabriel Byrne -Born in 1950, Dublin native Byrne has an extensive list of credits to his name, both as an actor and director . Some of his most well known films are Stigmata, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Usual Suspects, Millers Crossing, Lionheart, Little Women.

Brenda Fricker - Born in Dublin in 1945 Fricker was a long time star of the B.B.C. television series Casualty before moving to the USA to concentrate on her acting career. She won an Oscar for her role in “My Left Foot” and starred in “Home Alone 2” and “So I Married an Axe Murderer” .

Colm Meaney - Born in Dublin in 1952, Meaney has appeared in a vast string of roles starred in The Dead, The Commitments, Dick Tracy, Die Hard II -Under Siege, The Last of the Mohicans, Far and Away.
Meaney won a Golden Globe Award for his role in Roddy Doyle's The Snapper. Best known for his role as Chief Engineer Miles O' Brien in Star Trek - Deep Space Nine and Star Trek - The Next Generation.

Colin Farrell - Born in Dublin in 1976, Farrell first came to prominence in the hit B.B.C. television series set in Avoca, County Wicklow called Ballykissangel. He made his breakthrough in the U.S. with his role in Tigerland. He has since gone on to star in “Ordinary Decent Criminal“, “Phone Booth“, “The Recruit“ and “Miami Vice“.

Peter O' Toole --- (The older statesman of films) has been nominated for eight Academy Awards. He has starred in such classics as “Lawrence of Arabia” in 1962, “The Lion in Winter” 1968( a great performance), “The Last Emperor” in 1987 and “Zulu Dawn” 1997. O' Toole’s acting background was with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and has therefore always been regarded as a consummate stage actor. Like Richard Harris, O' Toole had a reputation as a womaniser and drinker.
Many people often think of Peter O' Toole as the quintessential Englishman but in fact he was Irish and proud of it. O'Toole was born in Connemara in 1932 and did not did move to England as a child but took fierce pride in his Irishness.

Liam Neeson - born in Ballymena, County Antrim in 1952. Neeson has quite a list of successful films, The Mission, Suspect,Husbands and Wives Nell, Rob Roy, Michael Collins, Star Wars, Schindlers List

Maureen O' Hara born in Dublin in 1920 , starred in Jamaica Inn and The Hunchback of Notre Dame before going on to appear in many John Ford movies. Probably most famous for her role in the Quiet Man opposite John Wayne.