Dublin has produced some of the biggest movie, music and sports stars over the years.
While many of them now live in mansions and earn millions, they all come from fairly normal backgrounds. And they all had to go to school just like the rest of us.
They were weighed down with schoolbags and were forced to wear ugly school uniforms. Some of us may have even gone to the same school as a major star.
Read more: Things every Dub remembers from their secondary school years
Here’s a list of schools some of Dublin’s most famous faces once attended.
Bono
(Image: Patricia Schlein/Star Max/GC Images)
School had a much bigger impact on Bono’s future than many people realise. The U2 lead singer met his bandmates in secondary school, as well as his future wife Ali.
Bono, known back then by his real name Paul Hewson, attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Clontarf.
Colin Farrell
(Image: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos)
Colin Farrell is tipped for Oscar glory in 2023 after causing a stir with his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin. Not only is he known for his incredible acting skills, but Colin has also been considered a Hollywood heartthrob for many years.
Before landing his first big acting gig on Ballykissangel, Colin went to school in Castleknock College.
Conor McGregor
(Image: Conor McGregor/Instagram)
UFC star Conor McGregor still spends a lot of time in his local Crumlin, despite being one of Ireland’s richest celebrities. He can often be seen at his Crumlin pub The Black Forge Inn, if he’s not living the high life in LA or the south of France.
McGregor attended Coláiste de Hide in Tallaght where he developed a passion for sport, and joined the Crumlin Boxing Club when he was 12 years old.
Bob Geldof
(Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Bob Geldof grew up in the picturesque village of Dun Laoghaire. He attended Blackrock College, where he said he was bullied as a teenage.
Despite challenges at school, Geldof went on to see huge success with his band the Boomtown Rats. He later became an international household name after organising one of the biggest concerts on the planet, Live Aid.
Brendan Gleeson
(Image: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)
Brendan Gleeson has also been getting international recognition for his role alongside Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin, but is probably most loved for his performance in Paddington 2.
The Irish actor went to secondary school at St Joseph’s CBS in Fairview. Here he joined a drama group, getting a taste for acting at a young age.
Hozier
(Image: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Hozier reached stardom with his song Take Me To Church, and even performed at the Victoria’s Secret show in 2014. However, before the fame and glamour, the singer, whose real name is Andrew Hozier-Byrne, attended a private secondary school in Bray, Co Wicklow (not technically Dublin but just outside).
He later described himself as a “class clown” and an “unfocused student,” calling the school a “monotonous nightmare.”
Katie Taylor
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Katie Taylor is a national hero and legend in the world of boxing. The sports star is a two-weight world champion and Olympic gold medalist, who is adored by the people of Dublin. She attended St Kilian’s Community School in Bray.
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