Happy St. Patrick’s Day! While the world celebrates today with parades and pints of Guinness, there is another incredible Irish export worth raising a glass to: an absolute dominance over the entertainment industry. Over the past few years, a massive wave of talent from Ireland has essentially taken Hollywood hostage in the best way possible.
From sweeping the Academy Awards to headlining the biggest blockbuster franchises of the decade, Irish actors are currently sitting at the very top of the cinematic food chain. Whether they are seasoned veterans or rapidly rising superstars, here are ten Irish actors who are completely thriving in Hollywood right now.
Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley, winner of the Best Actress Award for “Hamnet”, poses in the press room during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Fresh off her incredible Best Actress Oscar win just days ago for her transcendent performance in Hamnet, Jessie Buckley is the woman of the hour. The Kerry native has spent the last few years building one of the most flawless, critically acclaimed resumes in the business. Whether she is breaking hearts in Women Talking or dominating the West End stage, Buckley has proven herself to be an unstoppable, chameleon-like force in prestige cinema.
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy, winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘Oppenheimer’ poses in the press room during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
The pride of Cork has officially entered his “Hollywood royalty” era. Following his massive Academy Award victory for Oppenheimer, Murphy has refused to slow down. Between his highly anticipated return to his zombie-thriller roots in the 28 Years Later franchise and the long-awaited Peaky Blinders film, the notoriously private actor remains one of the most intensely captivating and bankable leading men in the world.
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
We are living in the golden age of the “Farrell-aissance.” The charismatic Dubliner has successfully transitioned from a 2000s heartthrob into one of the industry’s most reliable and versatile character actors. Following his heart-wrenching, Oscar-nominated work in The Banshees of Inisherin, he completely disappeared under heavy prosthetics to anchor HBO’s massive hit spin-off, The Penguin, proving there is absolutely no limit to his transformative abilities.
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan attends US-Ireland Alliance’s 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards at Bad Robot on March 07, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
The elder statesman of the group, Pierce Brosnan remains the epitome of suave, Irish cool. Long after hanging up his Walther PPK as James Bond, the Navan-born legend is still thriving in his 70s. By smoothly pivoting into a mix of superhero blockbusters (like his fan-favorite turn as Doctor Fate in Black Adam), action-comedies, and heartfelt indie dramas, Brosnan proves that true movie star charisma simply does not age.
Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
From a humble GAA player to a global heartthrob, Paul Mescal’s meteoric rise is nothing short of legendary. After breaking the internet with Normal People and earning an Oscar nod for Aftersun, the Kildare native officially conquered the blockbuster space by stepping into the arena as the leading man of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. He effortlessly bridges the gap between vulnerable indie darling and massive action star.
Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan attends the 2024 Governors Awards at Dolby Theatre on November 17, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Nobody plays unpredictable, magnetic chaos quite like Barry Keoghan. The Dublin-born actor has built a wildly successful career by taking huge, unapologetic swings in films like The Banshees of Inisherin and the pop-culture phenomenon Saltburn. With an incredibly intense screen presence and a willingness to push boundaries, Keoghan is currently Hollywood’s favorite cinematic wild card.
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Forever beloved by the internet as the “Hot Priest” from Fleabag, Andrew Scott has successfully transitioned into a formidable dramatic leading man. The Dubliner absolutely dominated the television landscape with his chilling, masterful performance in Netflix’s Ripley, followed by his soul-crushing turn in the indie masterpiece All of Us Strangers. He brings an unparalleled, quiet intensity to every single role he touches.
Nicola Coughlan
Nicola Coughlan attends the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
The undisputed queen of the “Ton”! Galway’s own Nicola Coughlan took over the world as the leading lady of Bridgerton‘s massive third season. Transitioning seamlessly from the hilarious, fast-paced comedy of Derry Girls to carrying a massive global romance franchise, Coughlan has become a worldwide pop-culture icon, a fashion darling, and a fierce advocate for body positivity in the industry.
Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
After years of delivering stellar supporting work in everything from Better Call Saul to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as the voice of F.R.I.D.A.Y.), Tipperary’s Kerry Condon finally got her massive, Oscar-nominated breakout in The Banshees of Inisherin. She has parlayed that well-deserved recognition into a string of high-profile blockbusters, including the high-octane Formula 1 thriller F1, cementing her status as a Hollywood heavy-hitter.
Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleeson attends the 95th Annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton on February 13, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
You simply cannot talk about Irish acting royalty without bowing to Brendan Gleeson. The Dublin-born patriarch of the Gleeson acting dynasty has spent decades delivering powerhouse performances in everything from the Harry Potter franchise to In Bruges. His heartbreaking, Oscar-nominated work alongside Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin completely revitalized his career for a new generation. Showing zero signs of slowing down in his 70s, he stepped into the gritty world of Gotham for Joker: Folie à Deux and starred alongside Claire Foy in the 2025 drama H Is for Hawk.
