List of Famous people born in County Mayo, Ireland
Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney is an Irish author and screenwriter. Her debut novel, Conversations with Friends, was published in 2017. It was followed by Normal People in 2018, which was adapted into a 2020 television series. Rooney's work has won critical acclaim and commercial success, and she is regarded as one of the foremost Millennial writers.
Louis Walsh
Michael Louis Vincent Walsh is an Irish music manager and television personality. Born in Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Walsh moved to Dublin to start his career in the music industry. He has managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone and Westlife, three of Ireland's most successful pop acts in the 1990s and 2000s. In later life, Walsh began a career as a talent show judge and television personality in the United Kingdom and Ireland. He has judged on Popstars (2001–2002), You're a Star (2003–2004), The X Factor, and Ireland's Got Talent (2018–2019).
Mary Robinson
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson is an Irish independent politician who served as the seventh President of Ireland from December 1990 to September 1997, becoming the first woman to hold this office. She also served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and a Senator for the University of Dublin from 1969 to 1989. She first rose to prominence as an academic, barrister and campaigner. She defeated Fianna Fáil's Brian Lenihan and Fine Gael's Austin Currie in the 1990 presidential election, becoming the first Independent candidate nominated by the Labour Party, the Workers' Party and Independent Senators. She was the first elected President in the office's history not to have had the support of Fianna Fáil.
Enda Kenny
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 2014 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 for Youth Affairs from 1986 to 1987. He served as Teachta Dála (TD) for Mayo West from 1975 to 1997 and for Mayo from 1997 to 2020.
Seán Ó hEinirí
Seán Ó hEinirí, known in English as John Henry, was an Irish seanchaí and a native of Cill Ghallagáin, County Mayo. He is believed to have been the last known monolingual Irish speaker.
Charles Haughey
Charles James Haughey was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach on three occasions – 1979 to 1981, March 1982 to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. He was also Minister for the Gaeltacht from 1987 to 1992, Leader of the Opposition from 1981 to 1982 and 1982 to 1987, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1979 to 1992, Minister for Social Welfare and for Health from 1977 to 1979, Minister for Finance from 1966 to 1970, Minister for Agriculture from 1964 to 1966, Minister for Justice from 1961 to 1964 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice from 1959 to 1961. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1957 to 1992.
Joseph Maher
Joseph Sylvester Maher was an Irish-born American character actor, playwright and director, best known for his roles in motion pictures, television and the theater. He was nominated for three Tony Awards, won a Drama Desk Award and Obie Award, and was a nominee of the Olivier Award for his supporting roles on the stage. He was also known for appearing in plays by Joe Orton.
Sabina Higgins
Sabina Mary Higgins is an Irish actress, political activist and the wife of the current President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
John MacBride
John MacBride was an Irish republican and military leader. He was executed by the British government for his participation in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin.
Henry Kenny
Henry Frances Kenny was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 1973 to 1975. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1954 to 1975. He was the father of former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.