Ranker FilmList RulesFemale actresses from Ireland, dead or alive. Vote based on their entire body of work.
From the silent film era to modern Hollywood blockbusters, Ireland has a long legacy of fantastic Irish actresses who have made names for themselves and their country in the film industry. Ranked here are best Irish actresses of all time, the female actresses and movie stars who, whether playing Irish characters or not, have turned in many memorable performances and given life to iconic characters in many films.
Who are the best Irish actresses of all time? Young stars like Saoirse Ronan are giving older established Irish actresses like Fionnula Flanagan a run for their money, but who deserves to be at the top of this Irish actresses list? Great Irish actresses are all over Hollywood films, so it's time to decide who is the best of the best.
This list features the top Irish actresses of all time including Maureen O’Hara, Eileen Percy, Fionnula Flanagan, Susan Lynch, Danielle Wickworth, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Emma Ledden, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Fiona Shaw. Don't see your favorite actress from the Eire? Add her below so other film fans can vote. Then, be sure to vote and rerank the list according to who you think are the best Irish actresses to have ever graced the screen.1
21356Maureen O'Hara
Miracle on 34th Street, The Quiet ManBirthplace: Ranelagh, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland, United States of America
Maureen O'Hara (born Maureen FitzSimons; 17 August 1920 – 24 October 2015) was an Irish and... more2
21860Saoirse Ronan
The Grand Budapest Hotel, AtonementBirthplace: Woodlawn, New York City, New York, United States of America
Nationality: Republic of Ireland, United States of America
Saoirse Una Ronan (born 12 April 1994) is an Irish and American actress. Primarily noted for... more3
11650Fionnula Flanagan
The Others, A Christmas CarolBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Fionnghuala Manon "Fionnula" Flanagan (born 10 December 1941) is an Irish actress. For her... more4
9233Katie McGrath
W.E., A Princess for ChristmasBirthplace: Republic of Ireland, Ashford, County Wicklow
Nationality: Ireland
Katie McGrath () is an Irish actress. In television, she is best known for portraying Morgana... more5
10046Fiona Shaw
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneBirthplace: County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Fiona Shaw (born Fiona Mary Wilson; 10 July 1958) is an Irish actress and theatre and opera... more6
8738Brenda Fricker
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, A Time to KillBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Brenda Fricker (born 17 February 1945) is an Irish actress of stage and screen. She has... more7
7738Maureen O'Sullivan
Hannah and Her Sisters, Peggy Sue Got MarriedBirthplace: Boyle, County Roscommon, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: United States of America
Maureen Paula O'Sullivan (17 May 1911 – 23 June 1998) was an Irish-American actress best known... more8
6731Sarah Bolger
In America, The Spiderwick ChroniclesBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Sarah Bolger (born 28 February 1991) is an Irish actress. She has starred in the films In... more9
7237Ruth Negga
World War Z, 12 Years a SlaveBirthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nationality: Ireland, Ethiopia
Ruth Negga ( NAY-gə; born 7 January 1982) is an Ethiopian-Irish actress who has appeared in... more10
4720Caitriona Balfe
Super 8, Escape PlanBirthplace: Republic of Ireland, Monaghan
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Caitríona Mary Balfe (born 4 October 1979) is an Irish actress, producer and former fashion... more11
8359Evanna Lynch
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceBirthplace: Termonfeckin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Evanna Patricia Lynch, (born 16 August 1991) is an Irish actress, vegan activist, voice... more12
5432Geraldine Fitzgerald
Arthur, Wuthering HeightsBirthplace: Greystones, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland, United States of America
Geraldine Mary Fitzgerald (November 24, 1913 – July 17, 2005) was an Irish actress and a... more13
4928Orla Brady
32A, Jesse Stone: Death in ParadiseBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Orla Brady (born 28 March 1961) is an Irish theatre, television, and film actress born in... more14
4827Sinéad Cusack
V for Vendetta, Eastern PromisesBirthplace: Dalkey, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Sinéad Moira Cusack (; born 18 February 1948) is an Irish stage, television and film actress.... more15
5134Maria Doyle Kennedy
The Commitments, Jupiter AscendingBirthplace: Clontarf, Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Maria Doyle Kennedy (born 25 September 1964) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and actress. With... more16
4024Bronagh Gallagher
Pulp Fiction, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom MenaceBirthplace: Londonderry, United Kingdom
Nationality: Northern Ireland
Bronagh Gallagher (born 26 April 1972) is an Irish singer and actress from Northern Ireland.... more17
4129Alison Doody
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, A View to a KillBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Alison Doody (born 11 November 1966) is an Irish actress and model. After making her feature... more18
3020Nora-Jane Noone
Descent, Ella EnchantedBirthplace: Galway, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Nora-Jane Noone (born 8 March 1984) is an Irish actress. She rose to prominence for her debut... more19
178Eve Hewson
This Must Be the Place, Blood TiesBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Memphis Eve Sunny Day Hewson, known professionally as Eve Hewson, is an Irish actress. Her... more20
177Brid Brennan
Excalibur, Shadow DancerBirthplace: Belfast, United Kingdom
Nationality: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Bríd Brennan (born 1955) is a Northern Irish actress who is known for her theatre work, she... more21
2520Patricia Driscoll
The Wackiest Ship in the Army, Charley MoonBirthplace: Clonakilty, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Patricia Driscoll (born 17 December 1927) is a British actress, who has appeared both on... more22
125Niamh Cusack
In Love with Alma Cogan, HereafterBirthplace: Dublin
Nationality: Irish
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3130Susan Lynch
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, From HellBirthplace: Corrinshego, United Kingdom
Nationality: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Susan Lynch (born 5 June 1971) is a Northern Irish actress. A three-time IFTA Award winner,... more24
2624Peggy Cummins
Gun Crazy, Night of the DemonBirthplace: Prestatyn, United Kingdom
Nationality: Wales, United Kingdom
Peggy Cummins (18 December 1925 – 29 December 2017) was an Irish actress, born in Wales, who... more25
2424Kerry Condon
Unleashed, Angela's AshesBirthplace: Thurles, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Kerry Condon (born 4 January 1983) is an Irish television and film actress, best known for her... more
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