Famous Irish People We Love

Celebs we’d like to spend St. Patty’s Day with

Olivia Wilde

Born in New York City to an American mother and an English and Irish father, Olivia has spoken fondly of spending summers in Ireland as a child and even trained at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. And her stage name, Wilde, is a nod to another famous Irishman — writer Oscar Wilde!

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Introduced to American audiences through films like Bend it Like Beckham and Match Point, this Dublin-born cutie cemented himself in our hearts with his role as King Henry VIII in the popular HBO series The Tudors.

Conan O'Brien

Conan didn'’t grow up in Ireland (he'’s from Massachusetts!), but he sure is Irish. After his difficult departure from NBC and leaving his slot on The Tonight Show in 2010, he started anew on TBS. We’'re glad he can still make us laugh no matter what network he’'s on!

Maggie Griffin

What a supportive Irish mother! Maggie Griffin is mom to Kathy Griffin and is seen here supporting her daughter at a book signing.

Bono

The U2 frontman was born in Dublin. Besides being in a super-famous Irish rock band, Bono is a prominent activist for human rights and a dad of two. What'’s not to love?

Pierce Brosnan

This Irish actor is as Irish as it gets. He'’s a native, originally from County Meath, Ireland — and a cutie, too.

Martin Sheen

Not only is he Irish, but he’'s also the father of the infamous Charlie Sheen. Enough said.

Bridget Moynahan

With a name like Bridget Moynahan, she has to be Irish! When she split with ex-hubby Tom Brady in 2007, the model-turned-actress was three months pregnant. Now, she’'s a single mom in the spotlight!

Matthew McConaughey

This Irish heartthrob was voted “"most handsome"” in high school — and for good reason. We’'d gladly be his ghost of a girlfriend past!

Colin Farrell

This Dublin-born dad is a Golden Globe winner who just so happens to make our hearts race.

Liam Neeson

We love Liam Neeson for his strength. The Irish actor lost his wife, Natasha Richardson, in a tragic skiing accident in 2009, leaving him to care for his two teenage sons on his own.

Rosie O'Donnell

This famous comedian made headlines in June 2012 when she married wife Michelle Rounds, and this January the happy couple welcomed their baby daughter, Dakota, who was born via a surrogate! O'Donnell also uses her celebrity to advocate for kids: She helped create Rosie's Broadway Kids, a program that provides free music and dance instruction to NYC public schools.