Visiting Limerick? Check Out Some of the Local Celebs While You're There

When in Limerick, one doesn't have to look tooPotter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and
far to find a whole host of household names. TheHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002),
county has single handedly turned out its fairhis last film.
share of high profile personalities - From PoliticalEamon de Valera, former President of Ireland and
figures to playwrights to pop stars, Limerick has itone of the most dominant political figures in 20th
all!century Ireland. His political career spanned over
Here is a rundown of some of the most influentialhalf a century, serving multiple terms as head of
Irish people that have come out of Limerick,government and head of state. He is credited
some you may be aware of already, others maywith a leading role in the authorship of the
take you by surprise!present-day Constitution of Ireland and was a
Pat Cox, television current affairs presenter andsignificant leader of Ireland's struggle for
the 25th President of the European Parliamentindependence from the United Kingdom, and the
2002-04.anti-Treaty opposition in the ensuing Irish Civil
Sir Terry Wogan, a veteran Irish radio andWar. In 1926, he founded Fianna Fáil, the
television broadcaster, who has worked for thelargest political party in Ireland.
BBC for most of his career and has been aKate O'Brien was an Irish novelist and playwright,
leading media personality in the UK since the lateawarded the 1931 James Tait Black Prize for her
1960s.novel Without My Cloak. Best known for her 1934
Michael Noonan, a politician and former leader ofnovel The Ante-Room, her 1941 novel The Land
Fine Gael (February 2001-June 2002.) Previouslyof Spices and the 1946 novel That Lady. Many of
held a variety of positions in the governments ofher books dealt with issues of female sexuality
Garret FitzGerald and John Bruton. Currently aand both Mary Lavelle and The Land of Spices
Teachta Dála for Limerick East.were banned in Ireland. The Kate O'Brien
Mike Finn, playwright and actor. Best known forweekend takes place in Limerick every year
his play, Pigtown (1999) which covers theattracting a large number of people, both
forgotten moments in 20th century Limerickacademic and non-academic
history, noted for its clever involvement of theDolores O'Riordan, Irish singer and songwriter with
audience. Mike also produced Ellis Island at theThe Cranberries. Enjoyed worldwide success and
University of South Florida in 2003. He writes thefame for thirteen years before the band took a
successful Kilinaskully sitcom for Pat Shortthiatus in 2003.
productions.J P McManus, businessman, entrepreneur and
Frank McCourt, an Irish-American teacher andphilanthropist.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author, best known for hisEamon Dunphy, controversial media personality
memoir Angela's Ashes and 'Tis.and former professional football player. Best
Richard Harris, was a two-time Academyknown for performing complicated analytical
Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winningtechniques as part of RTÉ's coverage of
actor, singer-songwriter, theatrical producer, filmthe UEFA Champions League. Dunphy previously
director and writer. He appeared on stage and inpresented the breakfast programme on Dublin's
many films, and is best known for his roles aslocal Newstalk 106. He currently presents
King Arthur in Camelot (1967), Oliver Cromwell inConversations with Eamon Dunphy on RTE Radio
Cromwell (1970) as Albus Dumbledore in Harry1 and also writes for The Star Daily.