American comedian, actress, and former talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell has been speaking about her experiences living in Ireland and how she recently discovered that being famous stateside cuts no ice in the Emerald Isle.
Rosie O’Donnell moved to Dublin from the USA in January 2025, shortly before Donald Trump returned to the White House, saying she had become increasingly concerned about the direction the United States was taking politically.
She had previously stated that if Donald Trump was elected again, she would consider leaving the States. She then moved to Ireland with her youngest child, Clay.
In a post on Instagram, the former talk-show host explained that while she enjoys living in Ireland, she misses her grown-up kids who are still in America, and her friends and community there.
Speaking to American Comedian and actress Amy Pohler on her Good Hang Podcast, Rosie explained how people welcomed her to Ireland, but didn’t mention the fact that they knew who she was or what she was famous for in the United States.
Recalling one incident, in a beer garden somewhere in Ireland, Rosie says she and Clay were enjoying the afternoon and were seated close to a couple with a young child, whom Clay began playing with.
During the meal, Rosie says the couple chatted, and the children played together, and everyone was very friendly and nice. As the couple got up to leave, they said, ‘And by the way, Rosie, we are huge fans,’ which astounded the star, who then questioned why they left it to the end of the meeting to mention they knew who she was.
The answer somewhat floored the American comedian – she recalls the Irish woman said, ‘ Well, it’s not the most important thing now, is it? ‘
Rosie went on to explain that being famous is not something people care about in Ireland; she realised that people care more about who you are as a person than how famous you are.
While Rosie has felt the love since she and Clay moved to these shores, which has included her doing stand-up shows in Ireland and appearing on the Late Late Show, she admits that sometimes the culture clashes are there, mainly in the pub, when she orders a pint of her favourite Irish beer, Smithwick’s.
‘I drink this beer called Smithwick’s, which is kind of like a Boston lager,’ Rosie told Seth Meyers over in the US. ‘And every time I order it at a pub, I’ll go up and go “Can I get a pint of Smithwick’s?”
While the Kilkenny ale is enjoyed by certain clientele, Rosie said that she learned the hard way about said clientele, saying: ‘The bartender will go: “Rosie, have you got an old man with ya? The old men are the only people drinking this crap.”
‘It’s my favourite beer over there, but I’m ridiculed every time I want one!’
