15 Famous Black Irish People

Marsha Hunt. Photo by trailer screenshot. Wikimedia Commons

15 Famous Black Irish People

 Black people started living in Ireland in small groups in the 18^th century. They were however mainly concentrated within the cities and towns such as Waterford, Limerick, Belfast, Kinsale, Cork, and Dublin areas. The various immigrations that have taken place have led to a massive increase in the black people community across Ireland. Ireland is currently the home of several prominent black people who have been recognized worldwide for their talents and achievements. If you are interested in knowing the most famous black people in Irish, this is the place for you.

Below are the fifteen famous Irish People

1. Phil Lynott

Phil Lynott. Photo by Harry Potts. Wikimedia Commons

Phil Lynott is a well-known singer, songwriter, and bassist who is prominently known to be the founding member of the rock band, Thin Lizzy. He was born in England to an Irish mother and a British Guiana father but experienced severe racism as he grew up. At the age of 20 years, he was able to form a band that completely changed his life forever. In the entire land of Ireland, Lynott is recognized as one of the greatest musical exports that ever lived. After a successful career, he however died of heart failure and pneumonia in 1986.

2. Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath. Photo by CBS Radio. Wikimedia Commons

Paul McGrath is a very popular footballer who was born in England to a foreign father and an Irish mother, Betty. He is known to be one of Ireland’s best-ever players who led the country of England to the top division. He became the best defender and also won the player of the year award as he played for Aston Villa in 1992. Paul also had some drinking problems and a knee injury that saw him exit Old Trafford.

3. Chris Hughton

Chris Hughton. Photo by James Boyes. Wikimedia Commons

Chris Hughton was a prominent first mixed-race footballer who was born and raised in England. In his career as a footballer, he played for Tottenham Hotspur and ended up winning 53 caps for his country. He also became the assistant manager for the Ireland team between 2003 and 2005. Chris also became the manager for several Premier League Clubs including Brighton, Norwich City, and Newcastle United.

4. Samantha Mumba

Samantha Mumba left. Photo by Wiki Roses. Wikimedia Commons

Samantha Mumba is a very popular black Irish singer who rose to fame at the age of 17 after she released her first single “Gotta Tell You”. Her single was also rated among the top five in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ireland. She was first noticed at the age of 15 by the Boyzone and Westlife manager Louis Walsh. Mumba finally switched to acting where she starred in several Irish films as well as a fashion model.

5. Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga. Photo by Gage Skidmore. Wikimedia Commons

Ruth Negga is an award-winning actress who was in Addis Ababa to an Irish mother and an Ethiopian father. After the death of her father, Negga and her mother moved to Ireland where she spent her life growing up in Limerick. She featured in several blockbusters such as 12 Years a Slave, World War Z, and Loving where she played the role of Mildred. She also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 2016.

6. Ifrah Ahmed

Ifrah Ahmed. Photo by AMISOM Public Information. Wikimedia Commons

Ifrah Ahmed is a popular Somali-Irish social activist and the founder of the famous United Youth of Ireland, a non-governmental organization. Her foundation also established a charity in both Somalia and Ireland. She is popularly known for her massive campaign against the negative impact of FGM. Ifrah Ahmed also produced a documentary in collaboration with the Global Media Campaign concerning a ten-year-old girl who died of FGM.

7. Kwame Ampadu

Kwame Ampadu. Photo by James Boyes. Wikimedia Commons

Kwame Ampadu was a very popular former footballer who was born on December 1970 and played the position of a midfielder. During his career, he featured in several clubs including Exeter City, Leyton Orient, Swansea City, and Arsenal. He acted as the assistant coach to Monaco but he is currently the assistant coach for CF Montreal. He also participated in the Republic of Ireland during the U21 team.

8. Christine Buckley

Christine Buckley was an Irish activist as well as a campaigner who was born in 1946 and later passed on in 2014. As she pursued her career, she acted as the director of Aislinn support as well as the education of the survivors of the industrial schools in Ireland. She won the award of volunteer of the year in 2009 and later in the year won the European Volunteer of the year award in Strasbourg.

9. Paul Osam

Paul Osam is a well-Irish former professional footballer who was born on December 1967. He was first signed by Brian Kerr for St Patrick Athletic where he started his League of Ireland in 1988. He is currently married and has a son who currently plays for the Republic of Ireland youth international. Even after his retirement, his team vowed to give him the position of manager of the club for the under-21 side.

10. Kamal Ibrahim

Kamal Ibrahim is a popular Irish television presenter, and public speaker, as well as a film and theatre producer. He was born on November 1985 and won the competition held in Incheon, he became the winner of Mister World in 2010. He made his first debut in 2014 after he was given a role by the producer Robert C Kelly in the Christmas pantomime Aladdin.

11. Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath is a popular former professional footballer in Irish who played as a defender in the defensive midfield and center back. He was born to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother who met during his medical studies in Dublin. He spent most of his career life in Aston Villa and Manchester United. He is also considered to be one of the greatest Irish players of all time. He played his last match in November 1997 for Sheffield United against Ipswich Town.

12. Marsha Hunt

Marsha Hunt. Photo by trailer screenshot. Wikimedia Commons

Marsha Hunt is a popular American singer, novelist, model, and actress who was born on April 1946. She was born in Philadelphia and grew up with her mother, Inez as the primary parent who used to work in a library. She also performed very well resulting from the emphasis on academic performance put on her by her family. Hunt is featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture which is located in Washington D.C.

13. Adam Idah

Adam Idah. Photo by Mattythewhite. Wikimedia Commons

Adam Idah is a well-known professional footballer who played the forward position for the Republic of Ireland national team and Norwich City club. He was born in Cork to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father. He made his first debut in the Premier League in 2020 as a substitute against Crystal palace. Idah was named to the senior squad of the Republic of Ireland in 2020 during the EUFA National League.

14. Simon Zebo

Simon Zebo. Photo by Warwick Gastinger. Wikimedia Commons

Simon Zebo is a Popular Irish rugby union player who was born on March 1990 in Cork, Ireland. Simon was born to a French father, Arthur, and an Irish Mother Lynda. He made his first debut in 2010 against Connacht where he made his first try against Scarlets while playing for Munster in April 2011. Simon won several honors including Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup, Six Nations under 20s Championship, and Six Nations Championship.

15. Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams. Photo by Sakhalinio. Wikimedia Commons

Derrick Williams is a famous professional player who was born in January 1993 in Hamburg, Germany. He was born to an African-American father who served in the United States Army and an Irish-American mother. Derrick was a product of Aston Villa Academy and played as the center-back for most of League Soccer. He was also offered a contract by Manchester United at the age of 15 but declined and joined Aston Villa.