In recognition of International Women’s Day, we wanted to highlight ten important female figures in Ireland who have made notable contributions in their fields.
These women have played significant roles in shaping their communities and industries. Join us as we share their stories and celebrate their achievements.
Dr. Norah Patten
Norah Patten, an Irish aeronautical engineer and STEM advocate from Ballina, County Mayo, has been selected as a potential candidate to become the first Irish person in space, as part of Virgin Galactic’s upcoming Delta mission scheduled for 2026/2027.
A strong proponent of STEM education, Patten created “Planet Zebunar,” an inclusive and non-gender-specific STEM product for children that offers an immersive experience through both offline and online technologies, including augmented reality.
CMAT
CMAT is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician from County Meath. Her debut studio album, If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead, released in February 2022, debuted at number one on the Irish Albums Chart.
An outspoken ally of the LGBT+ community, she famously stated in an NME interview, “I’m making music for the girls and the gays, and that’s it.” Recently, it was announced that CMAT will perform for the first time at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, sharing the stage with The 1975, Gracie Abrams, and Inhaler.
Sinéad Burke
Sinéad Burke is an Irish writer, academic, and disability activist, renowned for her TED Talk, “Why Design Should Include Everyone.” As CEO of the consulting organisation Tilting the Lens, she advocates for higher accessibility standards and equitable design. Burke authored Break the Mould: How to Take Your Place in the World, which won the An Post Irish Book Awards in 2020.
This March, she and Finnegan Shannon will host a webinar exploring how art and poetry challenge social norms, making it a must-attend event for lovers of contemporary art and advocates for accessible spaces.
Alisha Weir
Fifteen-year-old Alisha Weir from Dublin is making headlines in Hollywood. Her recent film, Abigail, has grossed $43 million worldwide and holds an 83 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
At the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, she was nominated for Best Young Actor/Actress for her role in the film. That night, she was seen posing with Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, with rumours circulating about her potential role as Dorothy in the musical adaptation.
Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha, an Irish fashion designer from Dublin, trained at the Design Institute Dublin, earning a BA in Fashion. Her collections have been showcased at Paris Fashion Week, with her latest Spring/Summer line featured this year.
Her Fall collection was highlighted in Vogue, and numerous A-list celebrities, including Keira Knightley, Paul Mescal, and Billie Eilish, have donned her creations on the red carpet.
Fionnghuala O’Reilly
Fionnghuala O’Reilly, known as Fig, was born in Kentucky to an African American mother and an Irish father. In 2019, she made history as the first woman of colour to win the Miss Ireland competition.
A systems engineer and former NASA datanaut, Fig uses her platform to promote diversity and women’s involvement in STEM. She currently works on the Emmy-nominated TV show Mission Unstoppable with Miranda Cosgrove, aiming to inspire young girls in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
Ciara Donlon
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Ciara Donlon is the founder of Theya Healthcare, a women’s healthcare brand specialising in comfortable bras for mastectomy patients. Recognising a gap in the market for post-operative support, she conducted extensive research with patients undergoing treatment.
With funding from Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs, Donlon developed a proprietary blend of super-soft bamboo, creating seamless and tag-free bras. Her products, now classified as medical devices, have received positive reviews and are sold worldwide, including as an approved supplier to the NHS.
Katie Taylor
Katie Taylor is a world-renowned Irish professional boxer, having held the title of undisputed and lineal world lightweight champion from 2019 to 2024, and the undisputed and lineal world super lightweight champion since 2023.
She is credited with elevating women’s professional boxing both in Ireland and globally. In July 2025, Taylor is set to face Amanda Serrano in a highly anticipated trilogy fight at Madison Square Garden, following their groundbreaking first encounter that marked the first women’s bout to headline the venue.
Rhasidat Adeleke
Rhasidat Adeleke did Ireland proud at the Olympics in Paris over the summer. The 22-year-old sprinter was the first Irish woman to break the 50-second barrier in the 400 metres.
She holds seven individual Irish national records (60 m indoors, 100 m outdoors, 200 m indoors and out, 300 m indoors and 400 m indoors and out). As part of relay teams, she contributed to setting two additional national records: the women’s 4 × 400 metres relay and the mixed 4 × 400 metres relay.
Fódhla Cronin O’Reilly
Fódhla Cronin O’Reilly, a critically acclaimed film producer from County Kerry, is best known for producing Lady Macbeth starring Florence Pugh, God’s Creatures featuring Emily Watson and Paul Mescal, and Ammonite with Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan.
A two-time BAFTA and Oscar nominee, she runs her own independent film production company, Nine Daughters, based between Kerry and London.
Mona McSharry
Mona McSharry is an Irish competitive swimmer. She is a two-time Olympian and won the bronze medal in the 100 metre breaststroke at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
McSharry is also a World Championships (25m) and European Short Course Championships bronze medalist, a junior world champion and a two-time junior European champion.
Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan
