As we step into 2025, Ireland continues to be a hotbed of creative talent, with emerging stars across various fields — from music and acting to fashion and comedy.
With a rich history of producing globally influential artists, Ireland is once again on the brink of unleashing some incredible talents who are set to dominate in the coming year.
Whether they’re impressing fans on-stage or on-screen, we’re predicting nothing but success for these emerging stars in their respective industries.
Here’s a closer look at the Irish stars you should keep an eye on in 2025:
Ella Lily Hyland

Ella Lily Hyland, an Irish actress who hails from Carlow, has garnered significant attention for her on-screen performances in recent years.
At the end of 2024, she won praise for her role as Williams, a foul-mouthed freelance assassin, in the Netflix spy thriller series Black Doves alongside Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw.
Her portrayal of a “dark and menacing, but also very playful” character was well-received by viewers, and the series has already been renewed for a second season.
Before that, she was best known for her role in Amazon Prime Video’s Fifteen-Love alongside Aidan Turner, which landed her a National Television Award nomination.
Looking ahead to 2025, the 26-year-old is set to star as Audrey Strange in the BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero, further showcasing her versatility as an actress.
KNEECAP

KNEECAP, the Irish-language rap trio from Belfast, are set to have a milestone year in 2025.
Their semi-fictionalised biopic, Kneecap, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews last year, and has since been shortlisted for two Academy Award nominations: Best International Feature Film and Best Original Song for Sick in the Head.
The film, directed by Rich Peppiatt, stars the group’s members Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí alongside an ensemble cast including Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds and Adam Best.
The Irish language film is now on track to represent Ireland at the 97th Academy Awards next year, with the final list of nominations to be announced on January 17th.
Kneecap is the third Irish film to ever be shortlisted for Best International Feature at the Oscars, after Viva and An Cailín Ciúin.
Kneecap also won big at the British Independent Film Awards in November, nabbing an impressive seven wins out of fourteen nominations, including the award for Best British Independent Film.
On stage, Kneecap are continuing to dominate the music scene with a series of scheduled concerts in the US, UK & Australia in 2025, as well as their “biggest ever live show” at Dublin’s Fairview Park this June.
Rachel Galvo

Rachel Galvo, an Irish comedian, actress, singer, and writer, exploded in popularity last year – and she has even bigger plans for 2025.
In 2024, her one-woman show The Shite Feminist cemented her place in the comedy scene as she performed 11 sold-out shows in Ireland, including seven in Dublin, two in Cork, and two in Galway.
Her success extended to the Edinburgh Fringe, where she enjoyed a sold-out run, and to London, with two sold-out performances.
Rachel’s relatable content on social media has also enhanced her reach even further.
By the end of 2024, she had amassed over 60,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, where she shares humorous insights about her life, including her journey from leaving a corporate job in London to pursuing comedy full-time.
This year, Rachel is set to perform her biggest show to date at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre on May 8th, 2025, and is also scheduled to perform at The Lowry in Salford on January 24th.
With a growing fan base and a series of high-profile performances lined up, we’re predicting big things for Rachel in 2025 and beyond.
MOIO

MOIO, a Dublin-based artist and producer, has significantly impacted the music scene with his unique blend of alternative R&B and soulful melodies.
In 2024, his single Moments achieved remarkable success, topping Spotify’s Viral 50 charts in multiple countries, including the USA, Ireland, the UK, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and New Zealand.
This surge in popularity was largely attributed to a viral TikTok video where MOIO performed an acoustic rendition of the track, which has now amassed over 7 million views.
MOIO’s vocal talents are undeniable, and fans have dubbed him “the next Frank Ocean” on social media, also drawing comparisons to artists like Daniel Caesar and Don Toliver.
Prior to his solo success, MOIO was known for his producing work with Dublin’s Chamomile Records collective, collaborating with artists such as Aby Coulibaly and Monjola.
MOIO is poised to capitalise on his recent success this year, with new music releases and potential live performances on the horizon.
Ashley McDonnell

Ashley McDonnell is an award-winning Irish tech entrepreneur from Galway, who is passionate about developing the intersection of luxury, technology and sustainability.
Having previously worked for the likes of Dior and Google, she is currently the Global Consumer Acceleration Director at Puig, a luxury fashion and fragrance company representing brands like Rabanne, Carolina Herrera, Charlotte Tilbury, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nina Ricci, and Dries Van Noten, to name a few.
In addition to her impressive role at Puig, Ashley is the founder of Tech Powered Luxury, a platform exploring the convergence of luxury and technology.
In September, she hosted the brand’s first live show during Paris Fashion Week with a host of Irish stars in attendance – including Cork singer Lyra, former GAA star Paul Galvin, Picture This frontman Ryan Hennessy.
She also serves as the Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland, a representative body for digital commerce.
Ashley has major plans for 2025 as she’s set to launch her next project, Ireland Fashion Week, in October.
She is also working on a documentary with Irish fashion designer Aoife McNamara about the impact of fast fashion on our planet after we’ve made a purchase. They are hoping for a Cannes Lions debut in June 2025, with premieres in Dublin, London, Paris and the USA before going live on national television and international platforms.
Zeinab Elguzouli

Zeinab Elguzouli has become a household name in the Irish media landscape, and we predict even bigger things are to come for her in 2025.
Born and raised in Ballymum to an Irish mother and a Sudanese father, she continues to be an inspiring voice for the black Irish generation.
Best known for co-hosting Dublin FM104’s Strawberry Alarm Clock with Jim-Jim Nugent and Crossy, she works on-screen too co-presenting The Six O’Clock Show on Virgin Media.
Alongside her career as a presenter, Zeinab is also a talented singer-songwriter, inspired by the soulful tones of Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday, with contemporary influences Frank Ocean, Beyoncé & Adele’s conversational lyricism.
In November, Zeinab turned on the Christmas light’s on Dublin’s Grafton Street with her FM104 co-hosts, and was also invited to sing a stunning duet alongside Aimee Fitzpatrick.
She also nabbed the The Gay Byrne Award for Newcomer of the Year at the IMROs in September, further cementing her place as a rising star in the entertainment industry.
With hopes to release new music and expand her career, we can’t wait to see what’s next for Zeinab.
Shauna Courtney

Shauna Courtney is a 25-year-old fashion designer from Kerry.
In 2024, Shauna launched her own fashion label, Shauna Courtney London, offering luxury womenswear designed in London and shipped worldwide.
Her brand emphasises creating timeless pieces intended to be cherished across generations, and has already been featured in the likes of British Vogue, highlighting her as an emerging talent in the fashion scene.
Building on her 2024 success, Shauna plans to expand her brand’s offerings, introducing new collections that continue to blend luxury with accessibility.
Shauna is also committed to integrating sustainable practices into her production processes, aligning with the industry’s shift towards eco-friendly fashion.
She aims to increase her brand’s international footprint in 2025, participating in global fashion events and exploring new markets to reach a broader audience, particularly in the US.
Éabha O’Donoghue

Éabha O’Donoghue is a popular Irish influencer on the rapid rise, best known for her fashion, beauty and lifestyle content.
With over 113k followers on Instagram and 179K on TikTok, Éabha is a regular on our FYP, regularly attracting hundreds of thousands of views every week.
The Dublin native is also a favourite with fashion and beauty brands, and has worked with the likes of Lifestyle Sports, House of CB, Rimmel, Scultped by Aimee, Cerave, and KASH Beauty, to name a few.
With over 32.3million likes on TikTok, Éabha’s followers have grown to love following her life, including her recent move to London to pursue bigger opportunities as an influencer and model.
The 23-year-old, who is signed to a modelling agency, is now having meetings with some of the top brands in the world – including the likes of Chanel.
With an ever growing platform and a keen sense of style, the only way is up for Éabha in the influencer space in 2025.
Thaddea Graham

Thaddea Graham has made a name for herself in the acting world in recent years, and 2025 is set to be her biggest year yet.
The actress was born in China in 1997 but was adopted from an orphanage by her parents when she was 13 months old, and raised in Co Down.
After graduating from drama school in London, Thaddea went on to star in Curfew, The Letter for the King, The Irregulars, BBC’s Wreck, Doctor Who, and Netflix’s Sex Education.
In 2024, she was further propelled into stardom when she appeared in season two of Bad Sisters on Apple TV as the young police officer Una Hoolihan – who had a significant role in the dramatic plot and season finale.
This year, she is set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film After The Hunt alongside Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri, as well as Noah Baumbach’s next Netflix project, alongside George Clooney and Adam Sandler.
She has also joined the cast of Apple TV+’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles as a series regular, which will also star Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman.
With a series of notable achievements in 2024 and an exciting lineup of projects in 2025, Thaddea continues to solidify her status as a rising star in the entertainment industry.
Keelin Moncrieff

Keelin Moncrieff is someone you should be following in 2025, if you haven’t done so already.
The 27-year-old is a popular Irish influencer, YouTuber, and podcast host, known for her engaging content on motherhood, lifestyle, female and social issues.
She has built up a following of over 335k across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, where she has won praise for her honest portrayal of life as a young mum through her daily vlogs.
Keelin isn’t afraid to share her take on societal and political issues too, and was commended for encouraging the younger generation to vote in the General Election last year in a clear and concise manner.
The Dublin native also launched her own podcast called Growing Up in 2024, which has been a huge hit with listeners as she tackles everything from toxic relationships and surviving your 20s, to gender representation in government and housing issues.
As her influence continues to grow across multiple platforms, we can’t wait to see what’s next for Keelin in 2025.
Máiréad Tyers

Máiréad Tyers is an Irish actress who you are bound she see on your screens.
The Cork Native is best known for her role as Jen in the Disney+ series Extraordinary which earned her a British Academy Television Award nomination.
The 27-year-old grew up in Ballinhassig and made the move to London to study at RADA where she graduated with a BA in Acting in 2020.
Following a table read while still studying at RADA, Máiréad impressed fellow Irish filmaker, Kenneth Branagh and went on to appear in his 2021 film Belfast.
While having appeared in a few plays and TV shows following graduating from drama school, the Irish actress’ role in Extraordinary on Disney+ was her breakout role.
Praised as a “star in the making” by the Irish Times, she went on to land roles in action thriller Dead Shot and in the period dramedy series My Lady Jane.
We are sure this is only the beginning from Máiréad and we are sure to see more of her on our screen in 2025.
Emma Rose Higgins

Emma Rose Higgins is making waves in the modelling industry, with her career set to soar even higher in 2025.
The stunning model has already graced numerous high-profile campaigns and photoshoots for prestigious brands and magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Brown Thomas, and Givenchy.
One of her most recent standout moments was a captivating Christmas campaign for Jean Paul Gaultier, where she brought to life iconic artworks and the brand’s renowned perfumes.
Emma Rose embodied Venus herself in an enchanting shoot held at the Jean Paul Gaultier museum.
With her rising success, it’s clear that this is just the beginning for Emma Rose, and we can’t wait to see what incredible milestones she’ll reach next.
She is sure to be one of the top names to watch in 2025 and beyond.
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