100 Notable alumni of National University of Ireland, Galway
Updated: June 22, 2026 EliteDegrees
National University of Ireland, Galway is ranked #631 in the world and #4 in Ireland by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 100 notable alumni from National University of Ireland, Galway sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with National University of Ireland, Galway won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Joseph R. Fisher
1855-1939 (aged 84)
barrister
editor
writer
Joseph Robert Fisher was a barrister, a newspaper editor, and an author from Ulster. Fisher alternated his career between working as a journalist at London daily newspapers, legal practice at the English Bar, editing Belfast's liberal unionist daily newspaper, and authoring books on subjects such as Irish and European politics and press law. Fisher's most prominent role was his appointment...
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2. Maureen O'Brien
military personnel
Major General Maureen O'Brien is an Irish Army general and current Deputy Military Advisor in the United Nations Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations. O'Brien had previously been Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights from September 2019 to March 2021 (and Acting Force Commander from October 2019 to July 2020).
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3. Christine Maggs
1956-. (aged 70)
explorer
phycologist
scientific collector
Christine Adair Maggs is a British phycologist. Formerly Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology at Bournemouth University, she was the first Chief Scientist of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, retiring in 2022. She is now an independent non-executive Director of Ocean Harvest Technology.
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4. Valentine O'Hara
1875-1941 (aged 66)
non-fiction writer
Valentine James O'Hara was a noted Irish author and authority on Russia and the Baltic States in the 1920s.
5. Seán Loftus
1997-. (aged 29)
hurler
Seán Loftus is an Irish hurler who plays for Galway Senior Championship club Turloughmore and at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team. He is usually deployed as a corner-back, but can also be deployed at midfield.
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6. Ciara Conway
1980-. (aged 46)
politician
Ciara Conway is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Waterford constituency from 2011 to 2016.
7. Andrew Joseph Thynne
1847-1927 (aged 80)
politician
Andrew Joseph Thynne was a lawyer and politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council and Attorney-General of Queensland.
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8. Pól Ó Foighil
1928-2005 (aged 77)
politician
Pól Ó Foighil was an Irish politician and activist for Irish-speaking, coastal and island communities. A teacher turned co-operative manager, he was an active member of the Fine Gael party, and as a long-serving councillor he was the party's only elected representative in the Connemara Gaeltacht for two decades. He also served as a senator from 1989 to 1993.
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9. Thomas Noel Mitchell
1939-. (aged 87)
university teacher
classical philologist
politician
Thomas Noel Mitchell is an Irish academic who served as the 42nd Provost of Trinity College Dublin from 1991 to 2001.
10. Frank Fahy
1880-1953 (aged 73)
secondary school teacher
politician
Francis Patrick Fahy was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1932 to 1951. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1919 to his death in 1953.
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11. Niall Burke
1991-. (aged 35)
hurler
Niall Burke is an Irish hurler who, as of 2012, played as a centre-forward at senior level for the Galway county team.
12. Frank Hugh O'Donnell
1846-1916 (aged 70)
politician
Frank Hugh O'Donnell, born Francis Hugh MacDonald (9 October 1846 – 2 November 1916) was an Irish writer, journalist and nationalist politician.
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13. Edward Divers
1837-1912 (aged 75)
chemist
Edward Divers FRS was a British experimental chemist who rose to prominence despite being visually impaired from young age. Between 1873 and 1899, Divers lived and worked in Japan and significantly contributed to the science and education of that country.
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14. Ray Butler
1965-. (aged 61)
politician
Raymond Butler is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Senator from 2016 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. He previously served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Meath West constituency from 2011 to 2016.
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15. Maeve McLaughlin
1968-. (aged 58)
politician
Maeve McLaughlin is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Foyle from 2012 to 2016.
16. Maura Hopkins
1984-. (aged 42)
politician
Maura Hopkins is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Senator for the Administrative Panel from 2016 to 2020. She had been a member of Roscommon County Council from 2014 to 2016.
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17. John Hanbury
1993-. (aged 33)
hurler
John Hanbury is a former Irish hurler who played as a left corner-back for club side Rahoon-Newcastle and formerly at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team. He has played American football with the Irish Wolfhounds.
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18. Sylvester Barrett
1926-2002 (aged 76)
politician
Sylvester Aidan Barrett was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He served under Jack Lynch and Charles Haughey as Minister for the Environment (1977–1980) and Minister for Defence (1980–1981).
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19. Aidan Harte
1988-. (aged 38)
hurler
Aidan Harte is an Irish hurler who plays for Galway Senior Championship Gort and previously at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team. He usually lines out as a left wing-back.
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20. Thomas Derrig
1897-1956 (aged 59)
politician
Thomas Derrig was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Lands from 1939 to 1943 and 1951 to 1954, Minister for Education from 1932 to 1939 and 1940 to 1948 and Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in September 1939. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1921 to 1923 and 1927 to 1957.
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21. Conor Cleary
1994-. (aged 32)
hurler
Conor Cleary is an Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer. At club he plays with St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay and Kilmaley, while he has also lined out at inter-county level with various Clare teams.
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22. Alfred Keogh
1857-1936 (aged 79)
military physician
surgeon
Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred Henry Keogh, GCB, GCVO, CH, FRCP was an Irish medical doctor in the British Army. He served as Director-General Army Medical Services twice; from 1905 to 1910 and 1914 to 1918.
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23. Aisling Dolan
politician
Aisling Dolan is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as a Senator from June 2020 to January 2025, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.
24. Kieran Brennan
1957-. (aged 69)
hurler
soldier
Kieran Brennan is an Irish Army major general and former hurler who played as a centre-forward at senior level for the Kilkenny county team. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations with the Irish Defence Forces until mid-2019.
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25. Eugene Murphy
1965-. (aged 61)
politician
Eugene Murphy is an Irish independent politician who served as a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from June 2020 to January 2025. He served as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Roscommon–Galway constituency from 2016 to 2020.
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26. Trevor Ó Clochartaigh
1968-. (aged 58)
politician
television producer
Trevor Ó Clochartaigh is an Irish former politician who has served as a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from 2011 to 2018.
27. Naoise Ó Muirí
1972-. (aged 54)
politician
Naoise Ó Muirí is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Bay North constituency since the 2024 general election. He served as a Dublin City Councillor from June 2004 to November 2024. He previously served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 2012 to 2013.
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28. John H. Rogers
1845-1911 (aged 66)
lawyer
judge
politician
John H. Rogers is a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 12th Norfolk District since 1992, which includes all of Norwood and parts of Walpole.
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29. Terry Leyden
1945-. (aged 81)
politician
Terry Leyden is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Senator (elected on the Labour Panel) from September 2002 to March 2020, and previously during December 1992 (after being nominated by the Taoiseach). He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 1992, and as a Minister of State from March to December 1982, and from...
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30. Eoin Griffin
1990-. (aged 36)
rugby union player
Eoin Griffin is a former professional rugby union player from Ireland. He primarily played as a centre, and played both outside and inside channels. Griffin last played for Connacht in the Pro14.
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31. Derek Nolan
1982-. (aged 44)
politician
Derek Nolan is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency from 2011 to 2016.
32. Joseph Brennan
1912-1980 (aged 68)
Gaelic football player
politician
Joseph Peter Brennan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1977 to 1980, Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 1973 to 1977, Minister for Social Welfare from 1970 to 1973 and 1966 to 1969, Minister for Labour from 1969 to 1973, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs from 1965 to 1966, and a...
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33. Sheila Christina Tinney
1918-2010 (aged 92)
university teacher
mathematician
physicist
Sheila Christina Tinney was an Irish mathematical physicist. Her 1941 PhD from the University of Edinburgh, completed under the supervision of Max Born in just two years, is believed to make her the first Irish-born and -raised woman to receive a doctorate in the mathematical sciences.
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34. Enda O'Coineen
1955-. (aged 71)
businessperson
sailor
Enda O'Coineen, is an Irish businessman, sailor, navigator and skipper.
35. Antony MacDonnell, 1st Baron MacDonnell
1844-1925 (aged 81)
colonial administrator
civil servant
politician
Antony Patrick MacDonnell, 1st Baron MacDonnell, GCSI, KCVO, PC, known as Sir Antony MacDonnell between 1893 and 1908, was an Irish civil servant, much involved in the Indian land reform and famine relief in India. He was Permanent Under-Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1902–1908); Member of the Council of India (1902); Privy Councillor (1902); Lieutenant-Governor of the United...
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36. Rose Anne Kenny
geriatrician
neurologist
cardiologist
gerontologist
researcher
Rose Anne Kenny is an Irish physician-scientist and best-selling author with a clinical and research interest in medical gerontology. She is the Regius Professor of Physic, the first female nominee, and holds the chair of medical gerontology at Trinity College Dublin, director of the Falls and Syncope Unit at St James's Hospital in Dublin, director of the Mercer's Institute for...
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37. Eoghan Masterson
1993-. (aged 33)
rugby union player
Eoghan Masterson is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays for Aurillac. He primarily plays in the back row, though he has played as a lock at under-age level. Masterson previously played for Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14, after being promoted from the academy ahead of the 2015–16 season.
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38. Frank Gannon
1947-. (aged 79)
molecular biologist
Frank Gannon (born 1947, Ireland) is a molecular biologist, and was the seventh Director of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia (2011 – 2020). He has held high-profile appointments in scientific management and research in Ireland, England, the United States, France, Germany and Australia.
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39. Pádraic Mannion
1993-. (aged 33)
hurler
Pádraic Mannion is an Irish hurler, he also plays as a right wing-back for club side Ahascragh-Fohenagh and at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team. His brother, Cathal, also plays for both teams.
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40. Gavin Duffy
1981-. (aged 45)
Gaelic football player
rugby union player
Gavin Duffy is an Irish sportsman. Duffy is a former international rugby union footballer who primarily played at full back. He last played professionally for Irish provincial side Connacht Rugby, in the Pro12, and represented Ireland at full international level.
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41. John Dallat
1947-2020 (aged 73)
teacher
politician
John Dallat was an Irish politician in the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) who represented East Londonderry in the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1998 to 2016, and then from 2017 until his death in 2020.
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42. Darragh Leader
1993-. (aged 33)
rugby union player
Darragh Leader is a retired rugby player from Ireland. His primary position is at fullback, though he has also played on the wing. Leader played for Connacht in the Pro14, having come through Connacht's academy. Darragh has also joined the NFL player pathway program as a kicker/punter
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43. Joseph Cooney
1991-. (aged 35)
hurler
Joseph Cooney is an Irish hurler who plays for Galway Senior Championship club Sarsfields and at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team. He currently lines out as a left wing-back.
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44. Shane McGrath
1984-. (aged 42)
hurler
Shane McGrath is an Irish hurler who played as a midfielder for the Tipperary senior team.
45. John G. Breslin
1973-. (aged 53)
engineer
John Breslin is an Irish engineer and full professor at the University of Galway. He is co-founder of the Irish websites boards.ie and adverts.ie. He co-authored the Irish bestselling book Old Ireland in Colour in 2020, Old Ireland in Colour 2 in 2021, and Old Ireland in Colour 3 in 2023.
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46. Cathal Mannion
1994-. (aged 32)
hurler
Cathal Mannion is an Irish hurler who plays for Galway Senior Championship club Ahascragh-Fohenagh and at inter-county level with the Galway senior hurling team. He usually lines out as a left corner-forward.
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47. Jim Higgins
1945-. (aged 81)
politician
Jim Higgins is an Irish former Fine Gael politician. He served as a member of Seanad Éireann, Dáil Éireann, and was a European People's Party Member of the European Parliament for the North-West constituency from 2004 to 2014.
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48. Claire Kerrane
1992-. (aged 34)
politician
Claire Kerrane is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Roscommon–Galway constituency since the 2020 general election.
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49. Daithí Burke
1992-. (aged 34)
hurler
Daithí Burke is an Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer who plays at senior level for the Galway county hurling team and for his clubs Turloughmore and Corofin.
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50. Lex Frieden
1949-. (aged 77)
Lex Frieden is an American educator, researcher, disability policy expert and disability rights activist. Frieden has been called "a chief architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act." He is also regarded as a founder and leader of the independent living movement by people with disabilities in the U.S.
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51. Lorraine Higgins
1979-. (aged 47)
politician
barrister
Lorraine Higgins is an Irish barrister, and a former Labour Party politician who represented the party in the 24th Seanad after being nominated by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny. From Galway, she is a graduate of NUI Galway (acquiring a B.A. from the university in 2001) and, later, the King's Inns. During her time there she was Labour Party Seanad spokesperson...
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52. Conor Whelan
1996-. (aged 30)
hurler
Conor Whelan is an Irish hurler who plays as a right corner forward for club side Kinvara and at senior level for the Galway county team.
53. Des MacHale
1946-. (aged 80)
university teacher
scientist
mathematician
Desmond MacHale is an Irish mathematician who is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at University College Cork. He is an author and speaker on several subjects, including George Boole, lateral thinking puzzles, and humour. He has published over 80 books, some of which have been translated into languages including Danish, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, German, Korean, and Japanese.
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54. Pádraig Ó Céidigh
1957-. (aged 69)
businessperson
politician
Pádraig Ó Céidigh is an Irish former independent politician and businessman who served as a Senator from 2016 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. He is the former owner of Aer Arann and Aer Arann Islands.
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55. Robert McCall
1919-2010 (aged 91)
scientific illustrator
painter
postage stamp designer
Sir Robert Alfred McCall KCVO KC was an Irish lawyer.
56. Seán Kyne
1975-. (aged 51)
politician
Seán Kyne is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel since March 2020, and previously from February 2020 to March 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. He served as a Minister of State from 2016 to 2020, including as Government Chief Whip from 2018 to 2020. He served as a...
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57. Seán Sherlock
1972-. (aged 54)
politician
Seán Sherlock is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork East constituency from 2007 to 2024. He served as a Minister of State from 2011 to 2016.
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58. Jim McDaid
1949-. (aged 77)
politician
physician
James Joseph McDaid is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister of State for Transport from 2002 to 2004 and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation from 1997 to 2004. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Donegal North-East constituency from 1989 to 2010.
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59. Denis Buckley
1990-. (aged 36)
rugby union player
Denis Buckley is a rugby union player from Ireland. He predominantly plays as a loosehead prop. Buckley currently plays for Irish provincial team Connacht in the Pro14. He plays his club rugby for Buccaneers.
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60. Paul Hession
1983-. (aged 43)
sprinter
Paul Hession is an Irish international track and field athlete who is the fastest Irishman in history over 200 metres. He specialises in the sprinting events, particularly the 200 metres. He has won silver and bronze medals at the World University Games, a silver medallist in the 200 m in the 2008 IAAF World Athletics Final and in 2007 made...
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61. Brendan Griffin
1982-. (aged 44)
politician
Brendan Griffin is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kerry constituency from 2016 to 2024, and from 2011 to 2016 for the Kerry South constituency. He served as Deputy Government chief whip from July 2020 to December 2022 and as Minister of State for Tourism and Sport from 2017 to 2020.
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62. Séamus Brennan
1948-2008 (aged 60)
politician
Séamus Brennan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism from 2007 to 2008, Minister for Social and Family Affairs from 2004 to 2007, Minister for Transport from 1989 to 1992 and 2002 to 2004, Government Chief Whip from 1997 to 2002, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment from...
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63. Catherine Noone
1976-. (aged 50)
politician
Catherine Anna Noone is an Irish former Fine Gael politician. She served as a Senator on the Industrial and Commercial Panel from April 2011 to March 2020.
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64. Michael O'Shaughnessy
1864-1934 (aged 70)
hydraulic engineer
Michael Maurice O'Shaughnessy was an Irish civil engineer who became city engineer for the city of San Francisco during the early twentieth century and developed both the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) and the Hetch Hetchy water system. He is sometimes credited as being "the Irishman who built San Francisco."
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65. Alice Perry
1885-1969 (aged 84)
writer
engineer
poet
civil engineer
Alice Jacqueline Perry was one of the first women in Europe to graduate with a degree in engineering.
66. Peter Burke
1982-. (aged 44)
politician
Peter Burke is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment since January 2025, having previously served as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 2024 to 2025. He served as Minister of State for European Affairs, Minister of State at the Department of Defence from 2022 to 2024 and Minister of State...
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67. Bindon Blood
1842-1940 (aged 98)
military personnel
engineer
General Sir Bindon Blood, GCB, GCVO was a British Army commander who served in Egypt, Afghanistan, India, and South Africa.
68. Michael Ring
1953-. (aged 73)
politician
Michael Ring is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency from 1997 to 2024, and previously from 1994 to 1997 for the Mayo West constituency. He served as Minister for Rural and Community Development from 2017 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 2011 to 2017.
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69. John O'Mahony
1953-2024 (aged 71)
politician
John Christopher O'Mahony was an Irish Gaelic football manager and Fine Gael politician who served as a Senator from 2016 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency from 2007 to 2016.
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70. Cathal Berry
1977-. (aged 49)
military personnel
politician
Cathal Berry is an Irish former independent politician and retired soldier who was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kildare South constituency from 2020 to 2024.
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71. Alan Dillon
1984-. (aged 42)
Gaelic football player
politician
Alan Dillon is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment since January 2025. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2020 general election.
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72. Rose Conway-Walsh
1969-. (aged 57)
politician
Rose Conway-Walsh is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2020 general election. She previously served as a Leader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad and a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from 2016 to 2020.
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73. Pat Rabbitte
1949-. (aged 77)
politician
Pat Rabbitte is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 2002 to 2007 and a Minister of State from 1994 to 1997. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-West constituency from 1989 to 2016.
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74. Sean O'Rourke
1955-. (aged 71)
journalist
broadcaster
Sean O'Rourke is an Irish journalist and broadcaster who works for the Irish public broadcaster, RTÉ. From September 2013 until his retirement in May 2020, he presented the Today with Seán O'Rourke show every weekday from 10:00am until midday on RTÉ Radio 1.
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75. Anne Rabbitte
1970-. (aged 56)
politician
Anne Rabbitte is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as a member of Seanad Éireann since December 2024. She was a Minister of State from July 2020 to January 2025. She previously served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway East constituency from 2016 to 2024.
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76. Mairéad Farrell
1990-. (aged 36)
politician
Mairéad Farrell is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency since the 2020 general election.
77. Mike McCormack
1965-. (aged 61)
novelist
Mike McCormack is an Irish novelist and short-story writer. He has published two collections of short stories, Getting It In the Head and Forensic Songs, and four novels: Crowe's Requiem, Notes from a Coma, Solar Bones, and This Plague of Souls. He has won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Goldsmiths Prize, and the International Dublin Literary Award. He...
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78. Barry Cowen
1967-. (aged 59)
politician
Barry Cowen is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Ireland for the Midlands–North-West constituency since July 2024. He previously served as a Teachta Dála (TD) representing Laois–Offaly from 2011 to 2016, Offaly from 2016 to 2020, and Laois–Offaly again from 2020 to 2024. He served as Minister for Agriculture, Food...
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79. Jack Carty
1992-. (aged 34)
association football player
rugby union player
Jack Carty is a rugby union player from Ireland. His primary position is at fly-half. Having started with his hometown club, Buccaneers, Carty currently plays for the team of his native province of Connacht in the United Rugby Championship, having come through the team's academy. He is Connacht's all-time leading points scorer. Carty is an Ireland international, having made his...
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80. Rónán Mullen
1970-. (aged 56)
politician
barrister
Rónán Thomas Mullen is an Irish independent senator and former delegate to the Council of Europe. He is the leader of the Human Dignity Alliance, an anti-abortion political party formed in 2018. He was elected to the Seanad for the National University constituency in July 2007 and re-elected in 2011, 2016 and 2020. Mullen is a frequent media commentator on...
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81. Pat the Cope Gallagher
1948-. (aged 78)
politician
Patrick Gallagher is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Donegal constituency since the 2024 general election, and previously from 1981 to 1997, 2002 to 2009, 2016 to 2020. He served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2016 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 1987 to 1994 and from...
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82. Max Arthur Macauliffe
1841-1913 (aged 72)
orientalist
theologian
Indian Civil Service
linguist
translator
Max Arthur MacAuliffe, originally known as Michael McAuliffe, was a senior British administrator, prolific scholar and author. MacAuliffe is renowned for his partial translation of Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib and history into English.
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83. Thomas Power O'Connor
1848-1929 (aged 81)
journalist
politician
Thomas Power O'Connor, PC, known as T. P. O'Connor and occasionally as Tay Pay (mimicking the Irish pronunciation of the initials T. P.), was an Irish nationalist politician and journalist who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for nearly fifty years.
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84. James Dillon
1902-1986 (aged 84)
barrister
farmer
politician
James Mathew Dillon was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fine Gael from 1959 to 1965 and Minister for Agriculture from 1948 to 1951 and 1954 to 1957. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1932 to 1969.
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85. Carol Nolan
1978-. (aged 48)
politician
Carol Nolan is an Irish independent politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Offaly constituency since the 2024 general election, and previously from 2016 to 2020. She was a TD for the Laois–Offaly constituency from 2020 to 2024.
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86. David Andrews
1952-. (aged 74)
television actor
actor
film actor
character actor
David Andrews is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1993 and 1997 to 2000, Minister for Defence from 1993 to 1994 and June 1997 to October 1997, Minister for the Marine from 1993 to 1994, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1979 and Government...
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87. Eamon Gilmore
1955-. (aged 71)
diplomat
politician
trade unionist
Eamon Gilmore is an Irish diplomat and former Labour Party politician. He has served as European Union Special Representative for Human Rights since February 2019. He has also been the European Union Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process since 2015. He was Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party...
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88. Michael J. Ryan
1965-. (aged 61)
physician
trauma surgeon
epidemiologist
Michael Joseph Ryan is an Irish epidemiologist and former trauma surgeon, specialising in infectious disease and public health. He is executive director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme, leading the team responsible for the international containment and treatment of COVID-19. Ryan has held leadership positions and has worked on various outbreak response teams in the field to eradicate...
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89. Sabina Higgins
1944-. (aged 82)
actor
Sabina Higgins is an Irish actress, political activist and the wife of Michael D. Higgins, who served as the president of Ireland from 2011 to 2025.
90. Ultan Dillane
1993-. (aged 33)
rugby union player
Ultan Dillane is an Irish rugby union player. He plays for La Rochelle in the Top 14 which is the top tier of rugby union in France. Dillane primarily plays as a lock.
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91. Mick Lally
1945-2010 (aged 65)
television actor
stage actor
teacher
film actor
Michael Lally was an Irish stage, film, and television actor. He departed from a teaching career for acting during the 1970s. Though best known in Ireland for his role as Miley Byrne in the television soap Glenroe, Lally's stage career spanned several decades, and he was involved in feature films such as Alexander and the Academy Award-nominated The Secret of...
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92. Lisa Chambers
1986-. (aged 40)
politician
barrister
Lisa Chambers is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician. At the 2014 local elections, she was elected to Mayo County Council, where she served from 2014 to 2016. At the 2016 general election, she won a seat in Dáil Éireann, where she served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency from 2016 to 2020. After losing her Dáil...
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93. Michael D. Higgins
1941-. (aged 85)
writer
poet
political scientist
politician
Michael Daniel Higgins is an Irish politician, poet and broadcaster who served as the president of Ireland from November 2011 to November 2025. Entering national politics through the Labour Party, he served as a senator from 1973 to 1977 and a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1981 to 1982, returning to the Seanad from 1983 to 1987 and the Dáil from...
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94. Enda Kenny
1951-. (aged 75)
school teacher
politician
Enda Kenny is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017, Leader of Fine Gael from 2002 to 2017, Minister for Defence from May to July 2014 and 2016 to 2017, Leader of the Opposition from 2002 to 2011, Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997 and Minister of State at the...
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95. Nora-Jane Noone
1984-. (aged 42)
film actor
Nora-Jane Noone is an Irish actress. In 2020, The Irish Times ranked her 47th on its list of the greatest Irish film actors of all time. She made her screen debut in her breakthrough role film The Magdalene Sisters (2002), and has since been nominated three times at the IFTA Film & Drama Awards for her work in 3 films:...
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96. Pat Gibson
1961-. (aged 65)
game show contestant
quizzer
Patrick Gibson is an Irish quizzer based in the United Kingdom. On 24 April 2004, he became the fifth contestant to win the £1m jackpot on the quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the fourth legitimate contestant to do so. He is a multiple world champion in quizzing and one of the world's most successful quiz players....
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97. Sir Thornley Stoker, 1st Baronet
1845-1912 (aged 67)
surgeon
Sir William Thornley Stoker, 1st Baronet, known as Thornley Stoker, was an Irish medical writer, anatomist and surgeon. He served as chair of anatomy and president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, president of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, and professor of anatomy at the Royal Hibernian Academy. He was the brother of the novelist Bram...
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98. James O. McInerney
1969-. (aged 57)
researcher
evolutionary biologist
computational biologist
microbiologist
James O. McInerney is an Irish-born microbiologist, computational evolutionary biologist, professor, and former head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham. He is an elected Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology, of the American Society for Microbiology, and of the Linnean Society. In June 2020 he was elected president-designate of the Society for Molecular Biology...
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99. Mathilda Twomey
1963-. (aged 63)
lawyer
Mathilda Twomey is a Seychellois lawyer and academic. She is the first female judge in the history of Seychelles and also the first woman to be appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Seychelles.
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100. Wilfrid Napier
1941-. (aged 85)
friar
Catholic bishop
Catholic priest
Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. is a South African Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Durban from 1992 to 2021. He was made a cardinal in 2001. He served as Bishop of Kokstad from 1981 to 1992 and is a member of the Order of Friars Minor.
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