Proudly Irish

Bono, lead singer of the rock group U2, was born and raised in Dublin. Paul "Bono" Hewson is the second child of Bobby and Iris Hewson. Paul was nicknamed "Bono Vox" by a friend who got it from a hearing aid store in Dublin. The original moniker meant "good voice" in cockneyed Latin. Paul later shortened it to "Bono." (Paolo Cocco, AFP / Getty Images)

Proudly Irish

Roma Downey was born in Derry City, County Derry, Northern Ireland. Her father had four children by his first wife before she died. He married Roma's mother and they had two children, Roma and Lawrence. One of Roma's deepest sorrows was, at the age of 10, losing her own mother to a heart attack. (Cliff Lipson, Everett Collection)

Proudly Irish

Liam Neeson was born into a working-class Catholic family in Ballymena, Northern Ireland to Barney and Kitty Neeson. Both parents worked in schools: his father as a custodian, his mother as a cook. Liam will tell you that being born to Barney and Kitty was the luckiest thing that ever happened to him. (Armando Gallo / Retna Ltd.)

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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was raised by Irish-American, Catholic parents in San Mateo, Calif. Brady's father met his wife while working in the airline business. She was a flight attendant and also appeared in print ads for Northwest Orient Airlines. (Jay Gullixson, Corbis Outline)

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Bridget Moynahan wanted to be a dentist when she was little, never thinking one day she would saunter down the red carpet in designer gowns. She remembers a trip to Ireland when she met her great-great Aunt Bridget, who, upon their introduction, said, "Well, it’s about time someone named a girl after me! Welcome home." (Everett Collection)

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On his 2004 album, 'Only You,' New Orleans renaissance man and singer Harry Connick Jr., croons romantic standards from the 1930s, '40s and '50s, continuing his tenure as his generation’s most widely appreciated jazz singer. He traces his Irish heritage through his father, New Orleans attorney Harry Connick Sr. (Eric Ogden, Retna)

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Pierce Brosnan was born in County Meath, Ireland, and moved to London with his family when he was 11. He enrolled in drama school at age 20. Perhaps best known around the world for his portrayal of James Bond, Brosnan reinvigorated the popularity of the Bond legacy by putting his own stamp on 007. (Claudio Bresciani, SCANPIX / Retna)

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Actor Aidan Quinn spent most of the first two decades of his life living on both sides of the Atlantic. His parents emigrated from Ireland to Chicago in the 1950s. Aidan was barely a toddler when the family went back to his parents' hometown of Birr, County Offaly, Ireland, only to return to Illinois within two years. (Polfoto, ZUMApress.com)

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Irish-American actress Diane Keaton was named one of the Top 100 Irish-Americans by Irish America magazine in its April/May 2004 issue. (Armando Gallo, Retna)

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Colin Farrell was born in Dublin in 1976. His father is famous soccer player Eamonn Farrell. Colin has said many times he also thought of playing pro soccer, however, that changed when Farrell’s sister enrolled him in a drama class at Dublin’s Gaiety School of Acting. Farrell was hooked. (Getty Images)

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Tim McGraw is an Irish-American who has left an indelible mark on the Nashville scene. Bridging the gap between traditional and popular country music, McGraw has become one of the most respected musicians around. He traces his Irish heritage through his father, baseball legend Tug McGraw, who died in January, 2004. (Curb)

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Irish dance sensation Michael Flatley's 'Lord of the Dance' is one of two wildly popular dance reviews based on traditional Irish step dancing. As the creative genius behind the show, he not only devised, wrote and produced it, but was also responsible for the spectacular choreography. (Liam Duke, CAMERA PRESS / Retna)