People
U2
Dublin, Ireland
A rock band formed by schoolmates in Dublin, known for anthemic songs, big stadium tours and campaigning on global issues.
Formed: 1976 · Known for: Rock band
Ireland: leaders, famous people, culture and history
8 places on the atlas covering people, language, culture, festivals, folklore and crafts. Highlights include U2, Irish (Gaeilge), Pub culture and St Patrick's Day.
See Ireland on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People U2 and Conor McGregor
- Language Irish (Gaeilge)
- Culture Pub culture
- Festivals St Patrick's Day
- Folklore Irish traditional music and Leprechauns
- Crafts Aran knitwear
Who leads Ireland?
| President | Catherine Connolly |
|---|---|
| Taoiseach (head of government) | Micheal Martin |
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Ireland’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Ireland
- James Joyce novelist
- W. B. Yeats Nobel-winning poet
- Oscar Wilde writer
- Samuel Beckett Nobel-winning playwright
- Seamus Heaney Nobel-winning poet
- Daniel O'Connell political leader
- Grace O'Malley sixteenth-century sea leader
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Ireland
- Greeting A handshake and friendly chat. Small talk and humour are welcomed.
- Dining In a pub, rounds of drinks are the custom: take your turn. A tip of about 10% is typical in restaurants.
- Talk Be careful about assuming Irish and British identities are the same.
All etiquette tips for Ireland
People in Ireland
People
Conor McGregor
Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
He was the first fighter to hold titles in two UFC weight divisions at once and became one of the sport's biggest draws.
Born: 1988 · Known for: Mixed martial artist
Language in Ireland
Language
Irish (Gaeilge)
Galway, Ireland
Irish is a Celtic language and the first official language of Ireland. Irish-speaking Gaeltacht communities lie west of Galway.
Say hello: Dia dhuit · Script: Latin
Culture in Ireland
Culture
Pub culture
Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland
In Ireland the pub is a place to chat, hear live traditional music and meet neighbours. Many are family-run and over a century old.
Tradition: Pubs as community spaces
Festivals in Ireland
Festivals
St Patrick's Day
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin holds a multi-day festival with parades and music around the national day, and Irish communities worldwide join in.
Usually: 17 March · Theme: National day · Months: March
Folklore in Ireland
Folklore
Irish traditional music
Doolin, County Clare, Ireland
Informal music sessions with fiddles, flutes, pipes and bodhráns take place in pubs in Doolin and across County Clare.
Kind: Folk music sessions
Folklore
Leprechauns
Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland
Small shoe-making fairies of Irish folklore who guard a hidden crock of gold. Carlingford holds a yearly leprechaun-themed festival.
Kind: Folk tale
Crafts in Ireland
Crafts
Aran knitwear
Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Ireland
Fishermen's sweaters of the Aran Islands have rope, diamond and honeycomb stitches that carry local meanings.
Craft: Patterned wool sweaters
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Ireland today, a short selection of well-known people from Ireland, and the 8 places pinned for Ireland on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Ireland on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, language page, culture page, festivals page, folklore page and crafts page.
Questions about Ireland
Who is the leader of Ireland?
As of July 2026: President: Catherine Connolly; Taoiseach (head of government): Micheal Martin. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Ireland?
Well-known people connected with Ireland include James Joyce (novelist), W. B. Yeats (Nobel-winning poet), Oscar Wilde (writer), Samuel Beckett (Nobel-winning playwright) and Seamus Heaney (Nobel-winning poet).
Which famous people from Ireland are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Ireland include U2 and Conor McGregor. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What festivals are celebrated in Ireland?
Festivals on the atlas for Ireland include St Patrick's Day. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is Ireland known for?
Language entries for Ireland on the atlas include Irish (Gaeilge). Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is Ireland known for?
Traditional crafts from Ireland on the atlas include Aran knitwear. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is Ireland known for?
Food and customs from Ireland on the atlas include Pub culture. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does Ireland have?
Folklore and music from Ireland on the atlas include Irish traditional music and Leprechauns. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Ireland on the map?
Choose See Ireland on the map above, or search for Ireland on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Ireland?
Greeting: A handshake and friendly chat. Small talk and humour are welcomed. Dining: In a pub, rounds of drinks are the custom: take your turn. A tip of about 10% is typical in restaurants. These are general customs, not legal advice.