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ADHD affects about five per cent of people in Ireland — roughly 60,000 children — and more adults are now being diagnosed as awareness grows. Several well‑known Irish figures have publicly shared their diagnoses, sparking conversations about how the condition can shape work, family life and mental health.
Public figures speaking out
Jack Reynor
Actor Jack Reynor told RTÉ Radio One in May that a recent diagnosis has helped explain aspects of his life. He described experiencing intense hyperfocus while working — a strength on set that can make performance and technical collaboration feel effortless — but said everyday domestic tasks and self‑care can be much harder to manage.
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Reynor praised his wife, Madeline Mulqueen, for her patience and said having a formal diagnosis makes it easier to discuss practical supports and contingencies at home.
Carl Mullan
2FM presenter Carl Mullan disclosed his diagnosis in April and told the Irish Examiner it helped him understand longstanding patterns of overthinking and sensitivity. The dad of three said he often lives in his head and has battled confidence issues since childhood.
He added that recognising anxiety and ADHD together sheds light on moments of parental guilt when he becomes easily distracted, and that diagnosis helps him refocus on priorities.
Tommy Tiernan
Comedian Tommy Tiernan discussed a recent ADHD diagnosis on his television show with neurologist Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan, saying the label made sense when he thought back to his school years. He reflected that awareness of neurodivergence was limited when he was young, and that greater recognition now might have helped some adults understand past behaviour.
Bláthnaid Treacy
In 2025 presenter Bláthnaid Treacy said a private diagnosis following the birth of her daughter Nancy had a “very positive impact” and helped her make sense of life‑long challenges. She told how symptoms intensified after having a baby and that understanding her condition changed how she approaches everyday tasks and wellbeing.
Treacy has since launched a podcast exploring pivotal moments in people’s lives and has spoken about the relief of finding explanations for past struggles.
Barry Keoghan
Actor Barry Keoghan was diagnosed with ADHD at 27 and has spoken about suspecting the condition earlier because he struggled to sit still and concentrate as a child. He told Amy Huberman on the Mamia and Me podcast in 2022 that medication has made a dramatic difference to his focus.
Keoghan said the change was like clearing a traffic jam in his mind — a small but decisive image of how treatment altered his daily functioning.
Janet Devlin
Singer Janet Devlin from Northern Ireland has said she received multiple diagnoses as an adult, including borderline personality disorder, bipolar type two and ADHD. She has credited therapy and medication with improving her quality of life, enabling her to keep to routines and return to creative work with renewed energy.
Maclean Burke
Fair City actor Maclean Burke, who revealed an adult ADHD diagnosis in 2023 alongside his fiancée Cat Nolan, has described how the label helped him “connect a lot of dots.” He acknowledged that hyperfocus can be both powerful and, at times, destructive — but also useful for work, saying he can absorb and learn scripts quickly.
Louise McSharry
Former 2FM presenter Louise McSharry received an ADHD diagnosis in 2023 after recognising similarities with other people’s accounts and researching the condition. She said she is still processing the diagnosis, is not medicated at present, and is trying to be kinder to herself about how her brain operates.
PJ Gallagher
Comedian PJ Gallagher learned of his ADHD diagnosis during filming of the RTÉ documentary Changing My Mind. He has described mixed feelings about the label, acknowledging it answers questions about past behaviour while also sensing a public stigma around neurodivergence.
Keith Walsh
Radio DJ Keith Walsh was diagnosed at 49 after noticing similar traits in his 14‑year‑old son, Finn, and testing with a psychiatrist in 2022. Walsh said the diagnosis explained years of forgetfulness and difficulty sustaining focus, and brought relief that there was an understandable reason for those patterns.
Helen Steele
Fashion designer Helen Steele has spoken about growing up at a time when ADHD was little understood. Her mother encouraged drawing in class as a way to stay calm and engaged; Steele later described ADHD as a kind of strength that became clearer once she reached college and could tailor her learning to her interests.
Una Healy
In November 2026 Una Healy revealed she had recently been diagnosed with ADHD as she marked nearly a year since giving up alcohol. She said the diagnosis helped explain why drinking had felt like a temporary “calm” followed by a crash, and that recognising the condition brought new understanding of her own behaviour.
As more public figures discuss their experiences, the conversations around ADHD in Ireland are shifting from stigma to practical support and self‑understanding. For many, a diagnosis has offered both clarity and a route to better managing daily life.
