Rising Stars – Five Up and Coming Irish Talents to Watch in 2013

They're young, Irish and ridiculously talented. We look at the creme de la créme of homegrown talent who will be making it big in 2013.


1. Domhnall Gleeson

The son of the legendary Brendan Gleeson has definitely inherited his Dad's acting chops, Domhnall Gleeson is already a household name in Ireland. Gleeson began his career in various Irish productions like Boy Meets Girl and Perrier's Bounty, which also starred his father, but it wasn't until his turn in the hugely successful Harry Potter franchise that people sat up and took notice. A much coveted chance of working with the Coen brothers followed in True Grit and recently he played the role of the troubled Levin in Anna Karenina. However, Gleeson is far more than just an actor, he plays an instrumental part with any film he is cast in, like the deeply underestimated Sensation and his writing for Your Bad Self. Next up is About Time directed by Richard Curtis, much loved for his film Love Actually, and a reunion with his Dad in John Michael McDonagh's Calvary. This is Gleeson's year to hit the big time.

2. Kodaline

Hailing from Dublin, Kodaline have been around for a lot longer than you might think, topping the charts in 2007 with their Give Me a Minute. The "alternative rock" quartet released their debut EP in September 2012, entitled the "Kodaline EP." Nominated for the Sound of 2013 by BBC, Kodaline are already being backed by some of the big names in music. Fearne Cotton is a fan and a single from their EP, All I Want featured on Grey's Anatomy. With ages varying from 22-23, the band grew up very near to each other in Swords and have dedicated their time to writing, the results of which is starting to pay off. Hoping to release another EP shortly, the band's debut album is not too far into the future, and we can't wait.

3.  Katie McGrath

Katie sort of stumbled across an acting career, much like a lot of the fairytale stories you hear about famous actors and actresses. Initially, she graduated from Trinity College with a degree in History but decided to work in fashion journalism, landing a position in Image magazine. Katie was discovered on the set of the Tudors where she had been working as a wardrobe assistant. Following an appearance in one episode as Bess, she went on to star in Merlin as Morgana and later a critically acclaimed performance as Princess Margaret in the successful "The Queen" series. Her next big role will be starring in the new Dracula series on NBC as Lucy Westenra, a role previously played a film adaptation by Sadie Frost.  

4. Simone Rocha

One of the most exciting designers to emerge from Ireland in the last few years is Dublin born Simone Rocha, daughter of the legendary John. Already receiving from acclaim from her celebrity followers like Lady Gaga and Lily Cole, Simone is also popular with fashion critics and was nominated for the Emerging Talent Award at the British Fashion Awards. She began her studies in Dublin's National College of Art and Design and graduated with a Fashion MA from Central Saint Martin's College. At the young age of 26, Simone's innovative designs are already creating quite a stir and we have no doubt she will be a household name by the end of this year. Definitely one to watch.  

5. Donal Ryan

Bord Gais Energy Book of the Year winner for 2012 for his wonderful novel, The Spinning Heart, Donal Ryan is one of the authors you should be watching for 2013. A novel filled with the fallout from the economic crisis and its affects on a rural community, The Spinning Heart, has been describe as capturing the "language and spirit of rural Ireland." Ryan is already lauded by critics and authors alike in Ireland who are eagerly awaiting his next work. Born in Tipperary and living just outside Limerick, Ryan's novel has far more depth to it than just describing the main character's relationship with his father. As he told Writing.ie; "We’re all shaped by life, by our families and friendships and loves and hates and everything else that makes up a life, and this shaping necessarily marks us. The characters in The Spinning Heart are everymen, typical of any place and time. I hope they ring true; I think they do."