Our 10 Favorite Irish Actresses

Comingsoon.net is celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day by taking a look at some of our favorite Irish actresses. Check out their names in the gallery below!

There aren’t as many Irish-born performers in Hollywood as there are well, everything else. However, if Saoirse Ronan’s career (so far—look out Meryl Streep) has proven anything, it’s that a whole lot of talent comes from the Emerald Isle. The place is a catalyst for creativity not just in film but in literature, dance, you name it.

While everyone is out (or not out) raising a glass to the patron saint of Ireland, we would like to raise ours to all of the women representing their homeland with or without their native accents. In honor or St. Patrick, Guinness, and great cinema, here are our 10 favorite Irish actresses from the big and small screen.

Irish Actresses

Evanna Lynch

Evanna Lynch was in born in Termonfeckin, County Louth, Ireland. She's most recognized as Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter franchise. Her filmography includes movies like Dynamite: A Cautionary Tale AKA Addiction: A 60's Love Story, Danny and the Human Zoo, and My Name is Emily. She's also starred on television series such as Sinbad and Dancing with the Stars.
Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw was born in Farranree, County Cork, Ireland. Outside of her renowned stage work, she has starred in the Harry Potter franchise, Fracture, My Left Foot, The Tree of Life, and Out of Innocence. Her television roles include Killing Eve, Fleabag, and True Blood.
Maureen O'Sullivan

Maureen O' Sullivan was born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. She is best known for playing Jane Parker alongside Johnny Weissmuller's Tarzan from 1932-1942. She also starred in the films David Copperfield (1935), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The Thin Man (1934), and A Day At The Races (1937).
Brenda Fricker

Brenda Fricker was born in Dublin, Ireland. In 1990 she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in My Left Foot. She's also been in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, A Time to Kill, Angels in the Outfield, and The Field.
Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan was born in The Bronx, New York but moved back to Dublin with her parents when she was three years old. At 13, Ronan became the seventh youngest Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee for her role in Atonement (2007). She's also received Oscar nominations for her work in Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019).
Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga was born in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia and moved to Limerick, Ireland when she was four. Her big screen roles include Breakfast on Pluto, World War Z, 12 Years a Slave, and Ad Astra. She's perhaps best recognized for her role as Tulip O'Hare on AMC's Preacher.
Michelle Fairley

Michelle Fairley was born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. She's best known as Catelyn Stark from Game of Thrones. She's also starred in television shows such as Suits and 24: Live Another Day and movies like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and In The Heart of the Sea.
Caitriona Balfe

Caitriona Balfe was born in Dublin, Ireland. She has appeared in films such as Super 8, Now You See Me, and Ford v. Ferrari. She is best known for playing Claire Fraser in the television series Outlander.
Katie McGrath

Katie McGrath was born in Ashford County Wicklow, Ireland. She has appeared in films such as Jurassic World and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. She's also starred in the television shows The Tudors, Dracula, and Supergirl.
Fionnula Flanagan

Fionnula Flanagan was born in Dublin. She is best known for her roles in movies like James Joyce's Women, The Others, A Christmas Carol, Yes Man, and Four Brothers.