Katie Taylor has retained her title as Ireland’s most admired sporting star according to research by ONSIDE, the country’s leading sponsorship consultancy firm.
The Bray boxer’s record-breaking bout in July of this year completed a historic trilogy against American Amanda Serrano, with Taylor having now held the position since 2017, excluding 2023 where Irish rugby legend Johnny Sexton claimed top spot.
Sexton still features prominently in 4th position ahead of fellow retired internationals Ronan O’Gara, Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. Boxer Kellie Harrington also retains a strong position at 10th on the list.
Roy Keane and Rory McIlroy joined Taylor in the top three, with fellow golfer Shane Lowry also in the top 10, though the Offaly man’s recent Ryder Cup heroics took place after research was completed.
Kate O’Connor is a new inclusion on the list in 12th place after her stunning Heptathlon silver medal at the World Athletics Championship, with 400 metre star Rhasidat Adeleke in the top 10 for a second successive year.
All-Ireland winners David Clifford (Kerry) and Noel McGrath (Tipperary) also featured in the top 20.
Outside sport, Ryan Tubridy and Patrick Kielty have remained as the top two in TV and radio’s most admired. Tubridy, who has held the top spot since 2019, saw his admiration score drop from 18% in 2022 to 7% this year, though he remains most popular with those aged 18-24. Patrick Kielty holds 2nd place for the second consecutive year, with Claire Byrne (3rd), Joe Duffy (4th), and Graham Norton (5th) completing the top five.
U2 icon Bono is first for music and live entertainment for the fourth year in a row, with CMAT and Kneecap both having surged from outside the top 20 in 2024 to 4th and 6th place respectively in this year's list. Daniel O'Donnell (2nd), Hozier (3rd), and Dermot Kennedy (5th) also feature prominently.
Kim Kirwan, Director of Intelligence & Insight at ONSIDE said: “The ONSIDE StarTrack 2025 results provide a fascinating snapshot of the public’s perception of prominent figures in our culture.”
“From the enduring admiration for Katie Taylor, Roy Keane and more retired greats, and the emergence of a new talent like Kate O’Connor, it shows that there is an appetite to usher in the next generation of stars, but the strong legacies of our most prominent sporting heroes do not fade quickly.
“The same can be said for TV and radio, and indeed music and live entertainment. The rise of CMAT and Kneecap in this list is proof of how the country’s admiration can evolve rapidly, though a true one-off like Bono remains a force in our collective consciousness. These results offer valuable insights for brands looking to connect authentically, illustrating that while consistency is valued, the ability to deliver strong and engaging performances, be it on stage, screen, or sporting arena connects effectively with the Irish audience today.”