People

The people to watch in 2016

Who will be making waves in the coming year in the areas of food, sport, tech, politics, activism, design, music, film, fashion and the arts? ‘Irish Times’ writers select 50 people worth watching

L-R sitting down: Jordan Casey, Gearóid Muldowney (Superfolk), John Leahy (Renua), Jo Anne Butler (Superfolk), Louise Bruton (Legless in Dublin), Emer O’Daly (Love and Robots), Kathi Burke (illustrator), Maurice O’Connor (Sample Answer), Neil Lacey (The Green Kitchen), Ellie Kisyombe (End Direct Provision), Rhona Togher (Restored Hearing Ireland), Aine Mulloy, Pamela Newenham and Elva Carri (Girl Crew) L-R standing up: Jordanne Jones (actress), Lynne Ruane (Student and equality activism), Aoife Mullane (textile designer), Grainne Walley (clothes designer), Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (actor), Niamh Scanlon (EU Digital Girl of the Year), Charlie Kelly (actor), Aoibh O’Daly (Love and Robots), Sinead O’Dwyer (fashion designer), Alan O’Neill (Men’s Development Network), Paula Barrett (The Turf Project), Stephen Fingelton (director), Eoin O’Broin (Sinn Fein), Duncan Walker (The Green Kitchen), Caoimhe Kilfeather (artist), Aine Carlin (food blogger). Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
L-R sitting down: Jordan Casey, Gearóid Muldowney (Superfolk), John Leahy (Renua), Jo Anne Butler (Superfolk), Louise Bruton (Legless in Dublin), Emer O’Daly (Love and Robots), Kathi Burke (illustrator), Maurice O’Connor (Sample Answer), Neil Lacey (The Green Kitchen), Ellie Kisyombe (End Direct Provision), Rhona Togher (Restored Hearing Ireland), Aine Mulloy, Pamela Newenham and Elva Carri (Girl Crew) L-R standing up: Jordanne Jones (actress), Lynne Ruane (Student and equality activism), Aoife Mullane (textile designer), Grainne Walley (clothes designer), Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (actor), Niamh Scanlon (EU Digital Girl of the Year), Charlie Kelly (actor), Aoibh O’Daly (Love and Robots), Sinead O’Dwyer (fashion designer), Alan O’Neill (Men’s Development Network), Paula Barrett (The Turf Project), Stephen Fingelton (director), Eoin O’Broin (Sinn Fein), Duncan Walker (The Green Kitchen), Caoimhe Kilfeather (artist), Aine Carlin (food blogger). Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Sat Jan 09 2016 - 05:45

The coming year promises to be a big one for many of Ireland’s young movers and shakers. Today, Irish Times writers offer their tips for 50 people to watch across 10 categories in 2016, plus we have some experts’ predictions of what the year ahead may bring.

Last year's marriage equality referendum showed the appetite for activism in Ireland, and Una Mullally selects people working in areas as diverse as Direct Provision, disability, and violence against women;  in food, Catherine Cleary looks at the eating trends hurtling down the tracks and the chefs and foodies taking note; in tech, Ciara O'Brien had a wealth of young entrepreneurs and developers to select from (our youngest is aged just 13); while the age profile remains low in the film and TV category, where Donald Clarke makes his pick of those in front of and behind the camera.

In music, Jim Carroll offers up five acts who will be making waves this year; in sport, Malachy Clerkin reckons there may be an Olympic medal among his selection; Deirdre McQuillan gives the nod to a group making and wearing some of the best Irish fashion; Gemma Tipton and Manchán Magan look at the arts and design scene, while in politics, Harry McGee looks ahead to the general election and a young cohort of politicians he sees succeeding at the ballot.

We gathered together many of the group at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham just before Christmas for a series of portraits by Dara Mac Dónaill and these are featured throughout the 10 categories. You can join the conversation by suggesting people you believe are worth watching this year in our comments section below.