You might not realize it, but Star Wars has a long history with Irish actors. From the Jedi Council to the First Order, Ireland’s been quietly shaping the galaxy for decades. Some of these actors you probably know right away, others might make you go, “Wait, they’re Irish?” Either way, here’s a list that proves the Force is definitely strong on the Emerald Isle.
1. Liam Neeson — Qui-Gon Jinn (The Phantom Menace)
The legend himself. Born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Liam Neeson brought quiet strength and wisdom to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace (1999). His calm authority and defiance of the Jedi Council helped define the prequel era — and gave us one of the most memorable mentor-student duos in the saga.
2. Domhnall Gleeson — General Hux (Sequel Trilogy)
Domhnall Gleeson (Dublin-born) plays General Armitage Hux, the sniveling, ambitious officer of the First Order. Love him or hate him, Hux became a highlight of the sequels — always caught between loyalty, ego, and pure desperation to impress Supreme Leader Snoke (and later, Kylo Ren).
3. Genevieve O’Reilly — Mon Mothma (Rogue One, Andor and RoTS)
Genevieve O’Reilly deserves huge credit for bringing Mon Mothma back into the spotlight. Her performance in Andor perfectly captures the quiet strength and political tension behind the Rebellion, showing a woman who’s risking everything under the Empire’s watch.
It’s one of the standout roles in modern Star Wars, and it just so happens that the actress behind it is Irish. O’Reilly’s calm, layered portrayal helped turn Mon Mothma from a background figure into one of the most compelling leaders in the entire saga.
But here’s a fun little fact you might not realize, Genevieve actually first played Mon Mothma way back in 2005 for Revenge of the Sith. In that version, she appeared in a deleted scene alongside Padmé Amidala and Bail Organa, where they secretly discuss forming what would later become the Rebel Alliance. The scene was cut from the final film, but it shows just how long O’Reilly has been connected to this character, almost twenty years before Andor.
4. Ian McElhinney — General Dodonna (Rogue One)
You might recognize Ian McElhinney (from Belfast) from Game of Thrones, but Star Wars fans will remember him as General Jan Dodonna in Rogue One. He’s the tactician behind the original Death Star attack plans, and his calm leadership ties directly into the events of A New Hope.
5. Eddie Byrne — General Willard (A New Hope)
Going all the way back to 1977, Irish actor Eddie Byrne appeared as General Willard, one of the Rebel leaders who greets Princess Leia after her escape from the Death Star. It’s a small role, but a historic one, marking one of the first Irish presences in the entire saga.
6. Denise Gough — Dedra Meero (Andor)
Born in Ennis, County Clare, Denise Gough gave one of the most chilling performances in modern Star Wars as Dedra Meero, the ambitious Imperial Security Bureau officer in Andor.
She’s not a Sith, not a bounty hunter, just a pure believer in the system. And that’s what makes her terrifying. Dedra’s calm obsession with “order” and her hunger for control show the kind of cold, bureaucratic evil that made the Empire so dangerous long before the Death Star was built.
Gough’s performance brought an eerie realism to the Imperial side of Andor. Watching her climb the ranks through manipulation and discipline felt more grounded than most villains we’ve seen, and she did it all with quiet precision.
7. Valene Kane — Lyra Erso (Rogue One)
Valene Kane, from Newry, Northern Ireland, played Lyra Erso, Jyn’s mother, in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Her screen time might be brief, but her role carries huge emotional weight — she’s the reason Jyn grows up to be who she is.
Lyra’s death in the opening scene of Rogue One sets the tone for everything that follows. She stands up to Director Krennic, refuses to bow to the Empire, and tries to protect her family even in her final moments.
8. Ray Stevenson — Baylan Skoll (Ahsoka)
Ray Stevenson from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, gave us one of the most interesting characters in Ahsoka. He played Baylan Skoll, a former Jedi who walked away from the Order and ended up following his own path, not really Sith, not really Jedi, just something in between.
What made Baylan stand out was how calm and collected he was. He wasn’t angry like most fallen Jedi we’ve seen before. He believed the Jedi and the Empire both failed and wanted something different, something better, even if his idea of “better” wasn’t clear yet.
Before Ahsoka, Stevenson already had history in Star Wars. He voiced Gar Saxon in The Clone Wars and Rebels, the Mandalorian warrior who served under Darth Maul and later the Empire. So when he finally showed up in live-action, it felt like a perfect full-circle moment.
Sadly, Ahsoka was one of his last performances before his passing in 2023. But it’s hard to think of a more powerful way to leave a mark on the galaxy.
9. Flynn Gray — TBA Role (Star Wars: Starfighter, 2027)
The newest Irish name to join the galaxy far, far away is Flynn Gray. The young actor from Ireland has been officially cast in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film, set to release in 2027.
Not much is known about the movie yet, but it’s said to explore the next era of fighter pilots and space combat in the Star Wars timeline — and Gray is part of that new story. For now, his role is still under wraps, but it’s exciting to see another Irish actor stepping into the franchise, especially as Starfighter aims to bring back that classic dogfight energy fans have been missing since Rogue One.
Flynn may be one of the youngest names on this list, but he’s proof that the Irish connection to Star Wars isn’t slowing down — it’s just getting started again.
10. Fiona Shaw — Maarva Andor (Andor)
Fiona Shaw, from County Cork, Ireland, played Maarva Andor, Cassian’s adoptive mother in Andor. Her performance added a deep emotional core to the series — a grounded, human story about love, loss, and rebellion.
Maarva isn’t a soldier or a senator, but her courage and conviction spark one of the most powerful moments in the show. Even after her death, her words ignite the people of Ferrix to rise up against the Empire. Shaw’s calm strength and fierce honesty made Maarva unforgettable — a perfect example of how Andor turned ordinary people into the true heart of the Rebellion.