Edna O’Brien (1930–2024), Irish author of The Country Girls

Edna O’Brien was an Irish author whose acclaimed books included her groundbreaking 1960 debut novel, “The Country Girls.” 

Eve Bunting (1928–2023), bestselling children’s author

Eve Bunting was the author of bestselling and award-winning books for children, including “The Wall” and “Smoky Night.” 

Michael Gambon (1940–2023), played Dumbledore in Harry Potter

Sir Michael Gambon was an Irish-English actor best known worldwide for playing Professor Dumbledore in six of the “Harry Potter” films, from 2004 to 2011.

Sinéad O'Connor (1966–2023), Nothing Compares 2 U singer

Sinéad O’Connor was an Irish singer-songwriter known best for her 1990 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

Ray Stevenson (1964–2023), star of Rome, Punisher: War Zone 

Ray Stevenson was an actor from Northern Ireland who starred in movies and TV shows including “Rome,” “Punisher: War Zone,” “Thor,” and many more.

Seán Keane (1946–2023), fiddle player for The Chieftains 

Seán Keane was a fiddle player for the Irish folk band The Chieftains and a virtuoso musician who helped keep the traditional musical legacy of his native Ireland alive.

Mark Sheehan (1976–2023), guitarist with the Script

Mark Sheehan was a guitarist who co-founded the Irish rock band the Script.

Noel Duggan (1949–2022), founding member of Irish band Clannad 

Noel Duggan was an Irish musician who was a founding member of the family folk band Clannad.

Dervla Murphy (1931–2022), bicycled from Ireland to India

Dervla Murphy was an Irish travel writer whose books included “Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle.”

Gavan O’Herlihy (1951–2021), played Chuck on “Happy Days”

Gavan O’Herlihy was an actor known for playing Chuck Cunningham in the first season of “Happy Days.”

Paddy Moloney (1938–2021), Irish musician who co-founded and led the Chieftains

Paddy Moloney was an Irish musician who co-founded and led the Grammy-winning group the Chieftains.

Sam McBratney (1943–2020), children’s author of “Guess How Much I Love You”

Sam McBratney was an Irish author of books for children and adults, best known for the children’s bestseller “Guess How Much I Love You.”

Star Trek's Scotty, James Doohan, Was an Irish Canadian WWII Veteran With an Inspirational Legacy

Star Trek’s chief engineer, Montgomery Scott, may be the most famously Scottish person in all of pop culture. But here’s something fascinating:

Dolores O'Riordan (1971–2018), lead singer of Irish band The Cranberries

The band was known for their hit song “Zombie.”

Martin McGuinness (1950–2017), Irish political leader

Martin McGuinness, the former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, died Tuesday, March 21, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 66.

Ryan McBride (1989–2017), Irish footballer

Irish footballer's teammates called him Captain Fantastic.

William Trevor (1928 - 2016), award-winning Irish writer

William Trevor, the award-winning Irish novelist, playwright, and author of short stories, died Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, in England, according to multiple news sources. He was 88. Trevor was a three-time winner of the Whitbread Prize (now known as the Costa Book Awards). He also was a five-time nominee for the Booker Prize, most recently for his 2009 novel “Love and Summer.” Writers paid tribute to their colleague. John Banville, the author of “Time Pieces: A Dublin Memoir” praised Trevor in The Irish Times as “one of the great short-story writers, at his best the equal of Chekhov and Babel. But we should also celebrate his novels, in particular ’Mrs. Eckdorf in O’Neill’s Hotel,’ an inexplicably neglected twentieth-century masterpiece. … His death is a heavy loss to Irish letters and to world literature.”

Padraig Duggan (1949 - 2016), Clannad cofounder

Padraig Duggan, a guitarist who co-founded the Grammy Award-winning Irish Celtic music group Clannad, died Aug. 9, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 67.

Maureen O'Hara (1920–2015), Miracle on 34th Street star

Actress Maureen O'Hara, star of classic movies of the golden age of Hollywood including "Miracle on 34th Street" and "The Quiet Man," died in her sleep on October 24, 2015.

Brian Friel (1929 - 2015)

Brian Friel, the Tony Award-winning playwright who created "Dancing at Lughnasa" and more than 30 other plays, has died in Ireland, according to The Associated Press. He was 86. The government and the Arts Council of Ireland said Friel died Friday in his seaside home in County Donegal, northwest Ireland, the setting for most of his five decades of work, the AP said. No cause of death was given. "His mythical stories from Ballybeg reached all corners of the world from Dublin to London to Broadway and onto the silver screen," said Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who praised Friel as "the consummate Irish storyteller. His work spoke to each of us with humor, emotion and authenticity."

The Colorful Peter O'Toole

Actor Peter O'Toole is often referred to as one of his generation's greatest thespians.

Ireland's Own Richard Harris

In Limerick, the Irish city where Richard Harris was born and raised, they still call him "Dickie." And while 12 years have passed since the legendary actor died Oct. 25, 2002, at 72, he is still very much a presence there. The town will welcome thousands of visitors this weekend (Oct. 24 - 26) for the second annual Richard Harris International Film Festival. Eleanor McSherry, the festival's creative director, spoke to Legacy.com about one of Limerick's favorite sons.

Famous Pats

Perhaps the most famous Pat in history is St. Patrick, thanks to his legendary work in Ireland and the beloved international holiday that bears his name. In more modern times, Pats of all kinds have made great contributions to our culture. Whether they go by Pat, Patrick, Patricia, Patsy, Paddy, or Patrice, these luminaries have made our world a better place. Take a look the great Pats of the past, and click on any photo for more about the famous Pat.

Maureen O'Sullivan: Ireland's First Movie Star

We look back on the life and career of the first big Hollywood film star to come out of Ireland: Maureen O'Sullivan.

Bram Stoker, Father of Vampire Fiction

We're remembering Bram Stoker on his birthday with a look at his most famous creation, Count Dracula.

George Best: The Best to Never Play the Game

We take a look back at perhaps the best football player never to win the World Cup. In fact, he never even played in the tournament.

Stephen Gilbert, Ratman Writer

Stephen Gilbert fought the Nazis and advocated for nuclear disarmament. But mostly, he is remembered for a story about rats.