Sadly we lost many talented and adored entertainers, singers, actors, presenters and personalities in the year 2024.
One of the most shocking and tragic deaths was that of former One Direction star Liam Payne who passed away at age 31. While closer to home, we mourned the loss of Toy Show star Saoirse Ruane and former RTE broadcaster, Charlie Bird.
Some of the other Irish stars we had to say goodbye to this year include the legendary musicians Shane MacGowan and Dickie Rock.
Here, we take a look back at the stars who are no longer with us.
Lisa Murphy
The former Dublin Wives star passed away in February at the age of 51 in St Vincent's Hospital following a long battle with cancer.
Charlie Bird
The legendary journalist and broadcaster died in March at the age of 74 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
Joe Shannon
The popular Ireland AM chef sadly passed away in March this year after a long battle with bowel cancer.
Saoirse Ruane
The 12 year old Galway girl passed away after a brave battle with cancer. She captured the hearts of the nation when she appeared on The Late Late Show Ryan Tubridy in 2020 and opened up about her diagnosis.
Nick Sheridan
BBC journalist Nick Sheridan, who also worked in RTE on News2Day, sadly passed away at the age of only 32 from a brain aneurysm.
OJ Simpson
The infamous former American football star who was at the centre of the double murder “trial of the century” watched by millions of people, died in April this year at age 76 from cancer.
Larry Masterson
The former RTE legend passed away at the age of 73 with his family by his side. He worked as a television producer on major RTE shows, including The Late Late Show and The Live Mike.
Alf McCarthy
The broadcaster passed away aged 73 at Cork University Hospital following a short illness. Alf was a popular figure in the south of the country and fronted a series of well received programmes on RTE and the now closed RTE Radio Cork.
Donal Sutherland
Canadian actor Donal Sutherland passed away in June this year aged 88 after a long illness. He played countless roles over his career that spanned six decades, including M*A*S*H, The Hunger Games and Don’t Look Now.
Shannen Doherty
The actress best known for her roles on Beverly Hills 90210, Charmed and Little House on the Prairie, passed away at age 53, nine years after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
Tommie Gorman
Veteran RTE journalist Tommie Gorman died in June this year at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer. He worked at the national broadcaster for more than 40 years.
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh
Legendary gaelic games commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh died just short of his 94th birthday in a Dublin hospital surrounded by his family.
Fatman Scoop
US rapper Fatman Scoop, best known for his naughties hits Be Faithful and Love Like This, passed away at age 56 after collapsing on stage during a performance in Connecticut.
Kathleen Watkins
The writer, broadcaster, musican and wife of Gay Byrne died at the age of 90 while surrounded by her family.
Dame Maggie Smith
The beloved actress died in September aged 89. Fans fondly remember her characters Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.
Kris Kristofferson
The country music star died peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii, at the age of 88 in September. During his career, the veteran musician wrote a host of classic standards which were covered by artists including Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash and he worked with film directors including Martin Scorsese.
Mary O'Rourke
Former Fianna Fáil TD, Cabinet minister and 'Mammy of the Dail' Mary O'Rourke died at the age of 87 in October.
Liam Payne
The most shocking death in the entertainment industry this year was undoubtedly that of singer Liam Payne. The former One Direction star passed away tragically after falling from the balcony in South America. He was 31 years old and left behind his seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy.
Jon Kenny
The comedy legend who was best known as one half of D’Unbelievables passed away at the age of 66 following a battle with cancer which was ongoing for years.
Dickie Rock
Showband legend Dickie Rock died at age 88 in December. He is one of the most recognisable names of Ireland's popular showband scene and has had an amazingly successful career spanning decades.
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