Irish stars are really having their moment in the sun.
And that is clear from the new Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe that that moment is going away any time soon.
14-year-old Alisha Weir, who shot to the spotlight in Matilda in 2022, has made the list.
The Dubliner is “the second-youngest lister in Forbes Under 30 Europe Entertainment history”.
The profile reads: “Alisha Weir starred as Matilda Wormwood in 2022’s Matilda: The Musical, holding her own against acting royalty like Emma Thompson and Andrea Riseborough.
“The young star was just 13 when she scooped the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle award for Breakthrough Artist (Irish) for her performance, and 14 as of this list’s publication – making her the second-youngest lister in Forbes Under 30 Europe Entertainment history (after Millie Bobby Brown in 2018).
“Weir got her start at nine years old, treading boards across Dublin’s historic theatres in musicals such as Annie, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver!
“She will star alongside Melissa Barrera and Dan Stevens in the upcoming American horror film, Abigail.”
Abigail hits cinemas in Ireland on Friday 19th April.
Alisha isn’t the only Irish face on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Entertainment list.
She has been joined by Dublin singer Yasmine Byrne aka Jazzy, who is honoured for her breakthrough hit single Giving Me and RTÉ Choice Music Prize wins for Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
“Jazzy had one of the biggest breakthrough singles of 2023 with ‘Giving Me’, an infectious tribute to ’90s dance pop,” her profile reads.
“Upon its release, she became the first female artist in more than 14 years to have a No. 1 song in Ireland, and the first Irish woman to reach No. 1 on Spotify with more than 130 million streams. The Dubliner found fame as the featured vocalist on ‘Make Me Feel Good’ by Irish electronic act Belters Only, later signing with Polydor’s newly minted dance and electronic label, Chaos.
“‘Giving Me’ the label’s inaugural release, was nominated for ‘Best International Single’ at the 2024 BRIT Awards and won two RTE Choice Music Prize awards for ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’. Her debut EP, ‘Constellations’, was released in 2023 and reached No. 21 on the Irish album charts.”
Oscar winners Ross White and Tom Berkeley also made the list.
The profile on Forbe reads: “Belfast-based filmmaking duo Ross White and Tom Berkeley made history when their second short film, ‘An Irish Goodbye’, won an Academy Award for ‘Best Live Action Film’, a BAFTA for ‘Best British Short’, and an IFTA for ‘Best Short Film’ — an unprecedented triple win.
“The fan-favourite short, starring James Martin and Seamus O’Hara as brothers trying to mend their strained relationship after their mother’s death, was followed to great acclaim by ‘The Golden West’, a female-led western with an Irish twist. They are the youngest filmmakers in British history to win an Oscar.”
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And it’s not only the entertainment industry where Irish stars are signing.
Irish designer Hope Macaulay has made the Retail & E-commerce list.
Her profile reads: “In 2018, Hope Macaulay began developing her eponymous brand which now employs 20 knitters across Northern Ireland hand-making cardigans, bags and more in a unique needle-free method.
“While annual revenues stand at about $500,000, Macaulay’s creations have been featured on magazine covers and worn by celebrities including Halsey, Jennifer Hudson and Naomi Osaka. The items are sold in 80 countries in stores including Anthropologie and Free People.”
What a great year for the Irish!