Ireland boasts some of the world's best actors. Sometimes it feels like the number of great actors is disproportionate to the country's population. We're not going to explain why, though. Instead, we're going to look at some of the best Irish actors.
Key Takeaways
- Cillian Murphy won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Oppenheimer in 2024.
- Five Irish performers received acting nominations at the 2023 Academy Awards: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Kerry Condon and Paul Mescal.
- Brenda Fricker and Jessie Buckley are the two actresses in this list who have won acting Oscars.
- Irish actors have prominent roles across independent cinema, prestige television and franchises including James Bond, Harry Potter and Star Wars.
- Saoirse Ronan has received four Academy Award nominations, while Ruth Negga and Kerry Condon have also earned Oscar nominations.
- Northern Ireland has produced internationally known actors including Liam Neeson, Jamie Dornan, Kenneth Branagh and Ciarán Hinds.
Who Are the Most Famous Irish Actors?
Ireland has lots of famous actors. They go from famous Oscar winners to the stars of your favourite franchises. Did Irish actors peak in 2023 with several nominations? We don't think so, but it was a pretty good year for Irish actors and anyone thinking of becoming an actor in Ireland.
Irish performers received acting nominations: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Kerry Condon and Paul Mescal.³
Some of the most famous Irish actors include Cillian Murphy, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, Pierce Brosnan, Barry Keoghan and Andrew Scott. Leading Irish actresses include Saoirse Ronan, Jessie Buckley, Brenda Fricker, Fiona Shaw, Kerry Condon and Ruth Negga.
The Most Famous Irish Actors
Here are the famous Irish actors who have gained international fame. You'll see that they've appeared in everything from independent drama to blockbuster franchises. You've surely heard of a few of them. If you appear as an extra, you could even see them in the flesh.
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy was born in Cork. He went from theatre to independent film to Peaky Blinders, Inception, Dunkirk and Oppenheimer. You'll likely have seen him collaborating with Christopher Nolan on pieces, including Oppenheimer, when he won the 2024 Best Actor Oscar.⁴
Colin Farrell
Dublin-born Colin Farrell tends to choose roles between mainstream and independent work.
He's celebrated as a shining example of talent and adaptability in the acting scene.
What distinguishes Farrell is his captivating charm, which has endlessly aided his transition into Hollywood.
You'll have seen him in things like In Bruges,The Lobster,The Banshees of Inisherin, The Batman and The Penguin. He won the 2025 IFTA for Lead Actor in Drama for The Penguin.⁸
Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson is from Ballymena. His reputation was built on Schindler's List and Michael Collins, and he was known as a dramatic actor. Then movies like Star Wars: Episode I, Taken and The Grey established him as more of an action star.
Throughout his career, he has received several accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Tony Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Volpi Cup.
Neeson's remarkable ability to embody characters with authenticity and depth is truly impressive.
Whether he's playing a figure in "Schindler's List", a father in "Taken", or a wise mentor in "Star Wars," Neeson's performances captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.
Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleeson is from Dublin. He's a versatile character performer. Credits include In Bruges, The Guard, Harry Potter, Paddington 2 and The Banshees of Inisherin.
Pierce Brosnan
Brosnan was born in Drogheda and raised in Navan, going from a small Irish town to international stardom in a story that could have been picked straight out of Hollywood.
His rise to fame came in the 1980s on the television series "Remington Steele", which helped lay the groundwork for his casting as the fifth official James Bond.
He became a major commercial star as James Bond in GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies. He's acted in more than Bond films, though, and you may know him from The Thomas Crown Affair and The Matador.
Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall is Brendan Gleeson's son. While acting is the family business, he's a star in his own right, having performed in About Time, Ex Machina, Brooklyn, The Revenant, Star Wars, and The Patient.
His roles span drama, science fiction and comedy.
His breakthrough role was as Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter series, where he shared the screen with his father, Brendan.
Barry Keoghan
Dublin-born Barry Keoghan has appeared in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Dunkirk, The Banshees of Inisherin, Saltburn and The Batman.
He's one of Ireland's most prominent actors right now. He joined Cillian Murphy in 2026's The Immortal Man.⁶
He earned an Oscar nomination for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin, an unnerving and moving performance.
Andrew Scott
Another Dublin-born actor, Andrew Scott appears on stage, film, and television. Famous roles include Sherlock, Fleabag, All of Us Strangers, and Ripley. He earned a 2026 IFTA supporting-actor nomination for his performance in Blue Moon.⁷
He's gained global recognition through quietly powerful and intensely human performances rather than flashy blockbuster roles.
His unforgettable portrayal of the “Hot Priest” in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's “Fleabag” showcased vulnerability, humour, and soul-searching, often within a single scene.
Aidan Gillen
Aidan Gillen is from Dublin. He became internationally famous for The Wire, Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders and Bohemian Rhapsody. If you watch any ensemble drama, you've likely seen him.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Born in Dublin, but raised in Cork, Jonathan Rhys Meyers has had an international career. He's been in a range of productions. Perhaps you've seen him in Velvet Goldmine, Bend It Like Beckham, Match Point and television's The Tudors.
Famous Irish Actresses
Now let's move on to Ireland's most famous actresses. You may have seen them in classic cinema, contemporary film, prestige television and theatre. They've also won awards.
have won acting Oscars: Brenda Fricker for My Left Foot and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan is an Irish-American actress. She was born in New York but raised in Ireland. She was in Atonement, The Lovely Bones, Brooklyn, Lady Bird and Little Women.
Her ability to connect deeply with audiences positions her as a blueprint for aspiring actors seeking to experience the transformative power of acting firsthand.
Saoirse serves as a role model for aspiring actors in Ireland and worldwide, showcasing the possibilities that come with talent coupled with a strong passion for the art.
Ronan has been nominated for four Oscars and is one of Ireland's most recognised actresses.
Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley is from Killarney. She's worked in film, television, theatre and music. You may have seen her in The Lost Daughter, Women Talking, I'm Thinking of Ending Things and Fargo. She won the 2026 Best Actress Oscar for Hamnet.⁵
Brenda Fricker
Dublin-born Brenda Fricker is another Oscar winner. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for My Left Foot in 1990.¹ She was in The Field and Home Alone 2.
Fiona Shaw
Fion Shaw is from Cork. You may have seen some of the things she's been in, like Harry Potter, Killing Eve, Andor and The Handmaid's Tale. She's a greatly respected actress.
Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon is from Tipperary. Credits include Rome, Better Call Saul, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin, which earned her an Oscar nomination. She won a 2026 IFTA for F1.⁹
Ruth Negga
Ruth Negga is an Irish-Ethiopian actress born in Addis Ababa and raised in Limerick.
She brings a unique perspective to her roles and often explores identity, love, and resilience.
She's been in Loving, Preacher, Passing and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Loving earned her a 2017 Oscar nomination.²
Irish Actors Male: The Most Influential Male Stars by Career Type
Perhaps you have a certain kind of role you like. Have a favourite genre? Here are our top Irish actors grouped by the kind of things they appear in.
Irish Actors Known for Drama and Awards
Irish Actors Known for Action and Blockbuster Films
Irish Actors Known for Television
Irish Actors in Famous Films and TV Shows
Some Irish actors have been in huge franchises. Some franchises have a few Irish actors. Here are some key examples.
| Film or TV show | Irish actors and actresses |
|---|---|
| Oppenheimer | Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh |
| The Banshees of Inisherin | Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan |
| Peaky Blinders | Cillian Murphy, Aidan Gillen |
| Game of Thrones | Aidan Gillen, Liam Cunningham, Jack Gleeson, Ciarán Hinds |
| Harry Potter | Richard Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Fiona Shaw, Evanna Lynch |
| Star Wars | Liam Neeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Genevieve O'Reilly |
| James Bond | Pierce Brosnan |
| Hamnet | Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal |
Irish Actors Who Have Won Major Awards
Being a great actor isn't just about winning awards. However, good actors tend to win them. Here are the awards that some of our favourite Irish actors have won.
| Actor or actress | Award | Work | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brenda Fricker | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | My Left Foot | 1990 |
| Cillian Murphy | Academy Award for Best Actor | Oppenheimer | 2024 |
| Jessie Buckley | Academy Award for Best Actress | Hamnet | 2026 |
| Colin Farrell | IFTA Lead Actor – Film | The Banshees of Inisherin | 2023 |
| Kerry Condon | IFTA Supporting Actress – Film | Train Dreams | 2026 |
| Paul Mescal | IFTA Supporting Actor – Film | Hamnet | 2026 |
How to Choose the Best Irish Actor to Watch
Looking for something to watch? What do you like to see? Here are our Irish actors and the genres they appear in.
Drama and Awards
- Cillian Murphy is a strong choice for intense dramas such as Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders.
- Saoirse Ronan has built her career around acclaimed performances in films including Brooklyn, Lady Bird and Little Women.
- Jessie Buckley suits viewers looking for ambitious contemporary drama, particularly after her Oscar-winning performance in Hamnet.
Dark Comedy and Independent Film
- Colin Farrell combines drama and dark comedy particularly well in films such as In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin.
- Brendan Gleeson is a natural choice for character-driven Irish films including The Guard and The Banshees of Inisherin.
- Barry Keoghan is well suited to viewers who enjoy unusual or unsettling films such as The Killing of a Sacred Deer and Saltburn.
Blockbusters and Franchises
- Liam Neeson is the obvious choice for action films, from Taken to major franchises such as Star Wars.
- Pierce Brosnan is best known internationally for playing James Bond across four films.
- Domhnall Gleeson offers plenty of variety, with major roles spanning Star Wars, Harry Potter and The Revenant.
Ireland’s Famous Actors Across Film, TV and Theatre
Irish acting is a broad category. As you've seen, Irish actors lend their talents to a range of productions. From theatre-trained performers to television stars and Oscar winners, Irish talent remains a major presence on international screens.
Which famous Irish actor or actress is your favourite?
References
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The 62nd Academy Awards | 1990.” Oscars.org, 26 Mar. 1990. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The 89th Academy Awards | 2017.” Oscars.org, 26 Feb. 2017. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2017. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The 95th Academy Awards | 2023.” Oscars.org, 12 Mar. 2023. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The 96th Academy Awards | 2024.” Oscars.org, 10 Mar. 2024. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The 98th Academy Awards | 2026.” Oscars.org, 15 Mar. 2026. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- DiLillo, John. “The Peaky Blinders Are Back in The Immortal Man.” Netflix Tudum, 20 Mar. 2026. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/peaky-blinders-the-immortal-man-release-date-photos-news. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. “Christy and Saipan Lead 2026 IFTA Nominations.” Screen Ireland, 20 Jan. 2026. https://www.screenireland.ie/news/christy-and-saipan-lead-2026-ifta-nominations. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. “Congratulations to the Winners of the IFTA Awards 2025.” Screen Ireland, 17 Feb. 2025. https://www.screenireland.ie/news/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-ifta-awards-2025. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
- Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. “Congratulations to the Winners of the 2026 IFTA Awards.” Screen Ireland, 23 Feb. 2026. https://www.screenireland.ie/news/congratulations-to-the-winner-of-the-2026-ifta-awards. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
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