C(live) S(taples) Lewis (1898 - 1963)
Academic, writer, and Christian apologist, born in Belfast, NE Northern Ireland, UK*. Educated privately, he served in World War I, then studied at Oxford. He taught at Oxford (1925–54), and was professor of Mediaeval and Renaissance English at Cambridge from 1954. His novel The Screwtape Letters (1942), is the most well known of more than 40 works on Christian apologetics, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950; filmed 2005), was the first in the Chronicles of Narnia, which has become a classic children's series. He also wrote science fiction books, such as Out of the Silent Planet (1938). His autobiography, Surprised by Joy (1955), describes his conversion to Christianity. His brief marriage to Joy Davidman (d.1960) was the subject of the successful play and film, Shadowlands.
*Note: at the time of his birth Ireland was still united under the UK.
Kenneth Branagh (1960 -)
Actor and director, born in Belfast, NE Northern Ireland, UK. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984. In 1987 he co-founded and became co-director of the Renaissance Theatre Company, starring in successful tours in 1988 and 1989, and in 1998 co-founded the Shakespeare Film Company. His film credits as director/actor include the remake of Henry V (1989, BAFTA Best Actor), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), a 4-hour film production of Hamlet (1997), a musical version of Love's Labour's Lost (2000), Wild, Wild West (1999), and Conspiracy (2002, Emmy). Among his many awards are European Actor of the Year (1990), the Gielgud Award (2000), and an honorary Doctor of Letters (2001) by the Shakespeare Institute for his work in bringing Shakespeare to a popular audience. He returned to the stage after an absence of 10 years to play the lead in Richard III at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (2002), and later starred in David Mamet's Edmond at the National Theatre (2003). He was married to actress Emma Thompson (1989–96).
Liam Neeson (1952 -)
Film actor, born in Ballymena, NE Northern Ireland, UK. He performed with the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, and the Lyric Players Theatre, Belfast, making his film debut in Excalibur (1981). He received an Oscar nomination for his role as Schindler in Schindler's List (1993), and went on to play the title roles in Rob Roy (1995) and Michael Collins (1996). Later films include Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999), Kinsey (2003), Batman Begins (2005), and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).
Roma Downey (1964 - )
Roma Downey is best known as the star of the show Touched by an Angel. She was born in Derry and attended Brighton Art College in England and then the London Drama Studio. In 1991 she was nominated for the Helen Hayes Best Actress award for her role in Playboy of the Western World.
George Best (1946 - 2005)
Footballer George Best was the leading scorer for Manchester United during 1967-1968 and he won a European Cup Medal and the title of European Footballer of the Year in 1968. He was considered by many to be the best player ever, he lived the life of a playboy and retired while he was arguably still in his prime.
James Galway (1939 - )
James Galway is widely considered to be the best flute player in the world. He studied at the Royal College of Music and the Paris Conservatory. James now lives in Switzerland, though he travels widely, regularly seen back in his native Belfast.
Gary Moore (1952 - )
Gary Moore started playing the guitar in 1963 and later in the sixties he formed the group "Skid Row" in Dublin. It wasn't until 1968 that Skid Row, which at one time included Phil Lynott, released their first album. He and Phil played in various projects together until Phil's death in 1986 although Gary had left Skid Row in the early 1970s. This included work on several of Gary's solo albums. His most successful work was the 1990 album "Still Got The Blues" and its title single. The guitar maker "Gibson" has recently made a Gary Moore model of their famous "Les Paul". Thanks to Mike Orelli for most of the above information. He adds the following tribute to Gary and Phil - "Two very stubborn men that made beautiful music when they collaborated."
Sam Neill (1947 - )
Sam Neill was born in Omagh, Co Tyrone. He real name is actually Nigel, but when, in 1954, his family moved to New Zealand, he was nicknamed Sam. Now living in Sydney, he owns a winery near Queenstown. Neill starred in such films as Jurassic Park, Event Horizon and The Piano. He has voiced a character in The Simpsons and in the 1980s he was the star of the television show Reilly: Ace of Spies.