With break-out Irish stars such as Saoirse Ronan and Elaine Cassidy popping on to the TV and movie scene, it looks as if the lack of Irish women in Hollywood is soon to be a thing of the past.
It’s been 10 years now since HBO took a chance on a little drama called “The Sopranos” and changed the face of television. Few could gave guessed its success. But nobody would have predicted: that the Irish would come to dominate critically acclaimed drama all over the cable landscape.
Colin Farrell attended two elite private high schools. Gabriel Byrne starting acting classes at the age of 29. See the different roads to stardom for top Irish actors.
NOW in its 16th year, the annual Bloomsday on Broadway festival on June 16 at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side has become one of the hottest tickets in the New York calendar. Celebrating both James Joyce and Ireland, it's a far cry from the other dried up celebrations of revered authors legendary watering hole McSorley's provides the ale, for example, and you never have to wait long to hear a song. Says festival host Isaiah Sheffer, "It's always a great deal of fun and a lot of work and we're just sending out the scripts now to the 93 readers who will take to the stage on Bloomsday.
It's 8 a.m. and Fionnula Flanagan arrives for breakfast looking fresh as a daisy in a crisp white shirt.
Top 100 Irish America's Finest in Dance . Music . Acting
The Irish have had a long history in the entertainment business, from the days when actors Errol Flynn and James Cagney graced the silver screen, Gene Kelly danced his way into hearts, and crooner Bing Crosby brought joy to millions with his heavenly voice. So too, our Top 100 honorees, dancers, musicians, stars of stage and screen, light up our lives with their particular talent.
They have made us laugh, cry, sit spellbound in our seats, and gasp in awe at their enormous talent.