List of Limerick people

This is a list of notable people who are from Limerick city or county, Ireland, or have strong associations with either.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Arts

Malachy McCourt

Catherine Hayes, soprano

• G. E. M. Anscombe, English philosopher and theologian, born in Limerick
• Kevin Barry, author, born in Limerick in 1969
• Tomás de Bhaldraithe (1916–1996), Irish language scholar and lexicographer
• David Noel Bourke, screenwriter and film director
• Máire Bradshaw, poet and publisher
• Vincent Browne, journalist and broadcaster
• Mairead Buicke, opera singer
• Jimmy Carr, comedian and writer
• Denise Chaila, rapper
• David Chambers, aka Blindboy Boatclub, satirist, musician, podcaster, author, and TV presenter
• Tony Clarkin, actor of stage, television, radio, film; voice-over artist
• Michael Curtin, author
• Cliodhna Cussen, sculptor
• Lawrence Doheny, writer, producer, director of Six Million Dollar Man and Magnum PI
• Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin, President of the Irish Georgian Society
• David Gleeson, writer and director of the feature films Cowboys & Angels and The Front Line
• Richard Graves, theological scholar and author
• Gerald Griffin (1803–1840), novelist, poet and playwright
• Richard Harris, actor
• Catherine Hayes, soprano
• Mike Hogan, member of pop band The Cranberries
• Noel Hogan, member of pop band The Cranberries
• Celia Holman Lee, model agent and TV presenter
• Richard D. James aka Aphex Twin, electronic musician
• Charles Johnstone, novelist
• Patrick Weston Joyce, historian, music-collector, onomastician, and lexicographer
• Robert Dwyer Joyce, poet, song-writer, Fenian, and physician
• Sean Keating, painter
• Jon Kenny, member of D'unbelievables comedy duo; regular member of the Father Ted series
• Emma Langford, folk singer-songwriter
• Fergal Lawler, member of pop band The Cranberries
• Gearóid Mac Eoin, academic whose studies have focused on aspects of Irish language, literature and history
• Ciaran MacMathuna, broadcaster and musicologist
• Alphie McCourt, author of A Long Stones Throw, Heartscald (The Soulswimmer, US title)
• Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, 'Tis and Teacher Man
• Malachy McCourt, actor and writer
• Conor McNamara, sports commentator
• Tyron Montgomery, Oscar-winning film director
• Leanne Moore, singer and TV presenter
• Ruth Negga, film and TV actress
• Kate O'Brien, author
• Emma O'Driscoll, member of pop band Six; television presenter
• Críostóir Ó Floinn, poet and playwright
• Daragh O'Malley, leading stage and TV actor, star of ITV's Sharpe TV series.
• Dolores O'Riordan, member of pop band The Cranberries
• Matthew Potter, author
• Arthur Quinlan, local journalist formerly based at Shannon Airport for the Irish Times
• Liam Redmond, stage, TV and film actor, active from the 1940s to the 1970s
• The Rubberbandits, comedy hip-hop duo
• Darren Shan, internationally published children's author
• Sharon Slater, author
• Constance Smith, Hollywood actress of the 1950s
• Bill Whelan, Grammy Award-winning composer of Riverdance and many other works
• Terry Wogan, presenter on BBC radio and television

Business

Sir Thomas Cleeve

• Sir Thomas Cleeve, founder and chairman of the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland, High Sheriff of Limerick city (1899, 1900, and 1908)
• Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe
• JP McManus, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Science

• Laurence Cussen, East India Company surveyor who triangulated the Auckland Province (1876), photographed Māori (1884) and published research in the colony of New Zealand.
• William Henry Harvey, algae botanist, born Summerville, County Limerick
• Lady Mary Heath, pioneering aviator who flew from Cape Town to London (1928) and set records for altitude in a light aircraft (1927). The first female to complete a mechanic qualification in the US, parachute from an aeroplane (1927) and have a commercial pilot licence in Britain (1927)
• John Philip Holland, invented the submarine (1881).
• Mary McCoy, Irish nurse who served during the American Civil War at the Battle of Fair Oaks and met President Lincoln.
• Cliona O’Farrelly, immunologist at Trinity College Dublin
• Sylvester O'Halloran, invented cataract surgery (1750)
• Michael O'Shaughnessy, designed the San Francisco streetcar system (1927), the O'Shaughnessy Dam (1923) and the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct (1923).
• William Brooke O'Shaughnessy, early anaesthetist who introduced the therapeutic use of cannabis to Western medicine (1838), pioneered intravenous fluid therapy to treat cholera (1831) and established a telegraph system in India (1852).

Politics

Michael D. Higgins

• Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon, wife of the Earl of Snowdon, and member, by marriage, of the extended British Royal Family
• James P. Boyd, businessman and politician in Ontario, Canada
• Kathleen Clarke (1878-1972), First Lady Mayoress of Dublin, widow of Tom Clarke
• Niall Collins, Irish politician
• Stephen Coughlan (Labour), TD 1961–77; Mayor of Limerick 1951–52, 1969–70
• Pat Cox, TD 1992–94; MEP 1989–2004; President of the European Parliament 2002–04
• Éamon de Valera (Fianna Fáil), TD; Taoiseach; President of Ireland; raised in Bruree, County Limerick
• Frances Fitzgerald
• Michael D. Higgins, elected President of Ireland in 2011.
• Jim Kemmy (Labour and Democratic Socialist Party), TD 1981–1982, 1987–1997; Mayor of Limerick 1991–92, 1995–96
• Michael Lipper (Labour), TD 1977–81; Mayor of Limerick 1973–74
• Michael Noonan (Fine Gael), TD 1981–present; former Leader of Fine Gael; Minister for Justice, Minister for Health
• Dan Neville
• Tom Neville
• Willie O'Dea (Fianna Fáil), TD, 1982–present; Minister for Defence
• Kieran O'Donnell
• Desmond O'Malley (Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats), TD, 1968–2002; founder and Leader of the Progressive Democrats
• Donogh O'Malley (Fianna Fáil), TD 1954–1968; Minister for Health and Minister for Education
• Tim O'Malley (Progressive Democrats), TD 2002–2007, Minister of State for Health
• Jan O'Sullivan (Labour), TD 1998–present; Mayor of Limerick 1993–94
• Peter Power, TD for Limerick East (2002–2011), Overseas Development minister (2008–2011), born in Limerick
• Patrick L. Quinlan (1883–1948), Irish-American radical journalist and political activist, born in Limerick

Sport

Steve Finnan

Paul O'Connell

• Tim Ahearne, athlete; Olympic gold medallist with Great Britain and Ireland – triple jump (1908)
• Tom Aherne, soccer player; Limerick FC; Luton Town FC; Republic of Ireland (16 Caps)
• Richie Bennis, hurler; Patrickswell; Limerick; 1 GAA All Stars Awards; 1 All-Ireland – 1973
• Ciarán Carey, hurler; Patrickswell; Limerick; 3 GAA All Stars Awards;
• Peter Clohessy, rugby player; Young Munster; Munster; Ireland (54 Caps)
• Eamonn Cregan, hurler; Claughan; Limerick; 3 GAA All Stars Awards; 1 All-Ireland – 1973
• Tim Cuneen, soccer player; Limerick FC; Coleraine FC; Republic of Ireland (1 Cap)
• Sean Cusack, soccer player; Limerick FC; Republic of Ireland (1 Cap)
• Keith Earls, rugby player; Young Munster; Munster; Ireland (65 Caps); British and Irish Lions
• Leonard Enright, hurler; Patrickswell; Limerick; 3 GAA All Stars Awards
• Connie Finnan, darts player; Garryowen; World Grand Prix Last 16: 2013
• Steve Finnan, soccer player; Liverpool F.C.; Republic of Ireland (50 Caps)
• Al Finucane, soccer player; Limerick FC; Waterford United FC; Republic of Ireland (11 Caps)
• Kevin Fitzpatrick, soccer player; Limerick FC; Republic of Ireland (1 Cap)
• John Flanagan, athlete; 3 time Olympic gold medallist with the US in the hammer throw (1900, 1904, 1908)
• Jerry Flannery, rugby player; Shannon RFC; Munster; Ireland (21 Caps)
• Anthony Foley, rugby player; Shannon RFC; Munster Rugby; Ireland (62 Caps); European Rugby Cup winning captain – Munster, 2006
• Mark Foley, hurler; Adare; Limerick; 2 GAA All-Stars Awards
• Seán Foley, hurler; Patrickswell; Limerick; 1 All-Ireland – 1973; 1 GAA All Stars Awards
• Johnny Gavin, soccer player; Limerick FC; Norwich City FC; Tottenham Hotspur FC; Watford FC; Crystal Palace FC; Republic of Ireland (7 Caps)
• Tommy Gaynor, soccer player; Limerick FC; Shamrock Rovers FC; Dundalk; Nottingham Forest; Millwall; Cork City; Bohemians; Athlone Town; Kilkenny City; PFAI Player of the Year 1984/85
• Don Givens, soccer player; Irish international 1969–81
• Eamonn Grimes, hurler; South Liberties; Limerick; 2 GAA All Stars Awards; All-Ireland winning captain 1973; Texaco Hurler of the Year, 1973
• Pat Hartigan, hurler; South Liberties; Limerick; 1 All-Ireland – 1973; 5 GAA All Stars Awards
• John Hayes, rugby player; Bruff RFC; Shannon RFC; Munster; Ireland (84 Caps)
• Willie Hayes, soccer player; Limerick FC; Torquay United FC; Wrexham FC; Republic of Ireland (1 Cap)
• Marcus Horan, rugby player; Shannon RFC; Munster; Ireland (56 Caps)
• Mike Houlihan, hurler; Kilmallock; Limerick; 2 GAA All-Stars Awards
• Des Kennedy, soccer player; Limerick FC; Galway United FC
• Gary Kirby, hurler; Patrickswell; Limerick; 4 GAA All Stars Awards
• Con Leahy, athlete, Olympic Medallist with Great Britain & Ireland – high jump silver (1908)
• Patrick Leahy, athlete, Olympic Medallist with Great Britain & Ireland – high jump silver (1900), long jump bronze (1904)
• Andy Lee, boxer; St. Francis' Boxing Club; European Amateur Boxing Championships – bronze (2002), silver (2004), WBO Middleweight Champion
• Becky Lynch, professional wrestler; currently signed under WWE in the Raw brand
• Sam Lynch, rower; St. Michael's Rowing Club; Ireland; World Champion Single Sculler 2000 & 2001
• John Mackey, hurler; Ahane; Limerick; 3 All-Irelands – 1934, 1936 and 1940
• Mick Mackey, hurler; Ahane; Limerick; 3 All-Irelands – 1934, 1936 and 1940; GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium
• Ger McDonnell, mountaineer; first Irishman to summit K-2
• Joe McKenna, hurler; South Liberties; Limerick; 1 All-Ireland – 1973; 6 GAA All Stars Awards
• Conor Murray, rugby player; Munster; Ireland; British and Irish Lions
• Conor Niland, tennis player; international professional tennis player
• Jim O'Brien, hurler; Bruree; Limerick; 1 All-Ireland – 1973; 1 GAA All Stars Award
• Paul O'Connell, rugby player; Young Munster; Munster; Ireland (52 Caps); British and Irish Lions; European Rugby Cup winning captain – Munster, 2008
• William O'Connor, darts player; Cappamore; World Grand Prix Last 32: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
• Liam O'Donoghue, hurler; Mungret; Limerick; 1 All-Ireland – 1973; 1 GAA All Stars Award
• Frank O'Mara, athlete; World Indoor 3000m champion
• Jackie Power, hurler; Ahane; Limerick; 2 All-Irelands – 1936 and 1940; All-Ireland winning manager 1973
• Joe Quaid, hurler; Murroe-Boher; Limerick; 2 GAA All-Star Awards
• Tommy Quaid, hurler; Feohanagh; Limerick; 1 GAA All Stars Awards
• Patrick Ryan, athlete, Olympic gold medallist with the US in the hammer throw (1920)
• Paddy Waldron, first-class cricketer
• David Wallace, rugby player; Garryowen; Munster; Ireland (46 Caps); British and Irish Lions
• Paul Wallace, rugby player; Garryowen; Saracens; Munster; Ireland (45 Caps); British and Irish Lions
• Richard Wallace, rugby player; Garryowen; Munster; Ireland (29 Caps); British and Irish Lions
• Johnny Walsh, soccer player; Limerick FC; Republic of Ireland (1 Cap)

Military

• Walter Burke purser on HMS Victory, held Lord Nelson when he died (1736–1815)
• Nathaniel Burslem, recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Cornelius Colbert, Irish rebel and pioneer of Fianna Éireann
• Michael Colivet, Irish rebel, Commandant of 1916 Rising in Limerick and first TD for Limerick in Dáil Éireann
• Edward Daly, Commandant of 1916 Rising – Four Courts
• John Danaher, recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Tiede Herrema, Dutch businessman based in Limerick, abducted by the IRA in 1973
• Peter Lacy, Russian Field Marshal
• Sir Thomas Myles, surgeon, sailor, Home Ruler and gun-runner (1857–1937)
• Michael O'Rourke, recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Seán South, IRA volunteer killed on active service in 1957

Historical

• Margaretta Eagar (1863-1936), governess to the last Russian Royal Family
• Mary Jane Kelly (c. 1863-1888), Jack the Ripper victim
• Rosina Bulwer Lytton (1802-1882), author
• William Monsell, 1st Baron Emly (1812–1894), statesman and reformer
• John T. Mullock (1807-1869), Roman Catholic bishop of St. John's, Newfoundland (1850–1869)
• Mary O'Connell (1814-1897), nurse during the American Civil War.

Religion

• Christine Frost (born 1937), Catholic religious sister
• Mary Kostka Kirby (1863–1952), New Zealand catholic nun

See also

• List of Irish people