The Sunday Times Rich List will be revealed this weekend, and it looks like rock band U2 are the richest entertainers on Irish shores, as they are worth an astonishing €645 million.
The survey of the 300 richest people in Ireland also listed husband and wife Mark Burnett and Roma Downey as second with a worth of €459 million. Mark is the man behind the idea of The Apprentice, and his wife Roma Downey is the president of Christian-orientated production company LightWorkers Media.
Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley comes in at number three with a worth of €235 million, followed by singer Enya with €117 million – who lies ahead of actors Liam Neeson (€113 million) and Pierce Brosnan (€72 million).
The youngest man on the list is One Direction star Niall Horan, who comes in at number nine with a worth of €44 million.
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Meanwhile, other Irish stars such as Chris De Burgh, Colin Farrell, Daniel O’Donnell, Graham Norton, and Louis Walsh landed in the top 15 of the Sunday Times rich list.
Rob Watts, one of the compilers of The Sunday Times Rich List, said: “U2’s status as one of Ireland’s most recognisable exports is confirmed by their position at the top of our Entertainers’ Rich List, accounting in their own right for more than 30% of the wealth measured.
“They are to Ireland what Abba were to Sweden in the 1970s – a global brand with instant recognition. From Van Morrison to Niall Horan, Irish musicians of all ages are dominant forces across the globe, but Irish pre-eminence extends into film and television, too,” he said, according to the Irish Mirror.
“Both in front of the camera and behind it, in film and television alike, Ireland has some of the best-known names and produced some of the top original ideas on our screens today.
Money makers: U2 are the richest entertainers in Ireland | VIPIRELAND.COM
“This weekend’s Rich List provides insight and analysis of wealth across all sectors in Ireland and provides a definitive picture of wealth across the island of Ireland.”
1. U2 – Music- €645m
2. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey – Television – €459m
3. Michael Flatley – Dance – €235m
4. Enya – Music – €117m
5. Liam Neeson – Films – €113m
6. Pierce Brosnan – Films – €72m
7. Sir Van Morrison – Music – €62m
8. Sir Daniel and Lady Day Lewis – Films – €55m
9. Bob Geldof – Music – €49m
10. Niall Horan – Music- €44m
