Today poker is played online, in casinos, at home and on mobile apps all over the world. The world’s most popular card game has never been more popular. Millions log in daily for online poker.
Live tournaments attract huge crowds and payouts, while Twitch streams and YouTube pros have built global audiences. In Ireland, the game has grown steadily in the same way.
Local clubs thrive while major events like the Irish Poker Open draw international stars. Young players are mixing with legends at the tables. Irish talent has risen with the trend – and some of them now rank among the best in the world.
Local Roots, Global Reach
Poker is thriving in Ireland today, but the country already has a deep history with the game. It’s a country with a risk-taking culture. The Irish Poker Open, founded in 1980, is Europe’s longest-running No Limit Hold’em tournament. It attracts thousands every year, with prize pools now exceeding €1 million.
Dublin has always been the hub but regional clubs from Cork to Galway run popular weekly games and festivals. Online platforms have made poker more accessible across the country. Irish players regularly feature in major online series like SCOOP and WSOP Online. Many can mix live and digital play.
Irish casinos like The Fitzwilliam and Sporting Emporium continue to host major events. Poker is popular across all ages and backgrounds: Irish universities run student leagues and national sports stars compete on global stages.
The game is legal, licensed and well-regulated in Ireland. With a strong community and rising talent, Ireland has become a respected name in world poker – and a breeding ground for champions.
Five of the best Irish poker stars
Andy Black
Andy is a veteran of the Irish poker scene. He first made headlines in 2005 with a fifth-place finish at the WSOP Main Event, winning $1.75 million.
Nicknamed ‘The Monk,’ he’s known for an intense style that has won him over $4.8 million in live earnings. The Monk has multiple final table appearances at major events, including the Aussie Millions and Irish Open.
A Dublin native, he helped popularise poker in Ireland during the 2000s boom. He’s now a commentator and coach too. Andy remains a key figure in Irish poker, respected for his know-how and longevity.
Donnacha O’Dea
Donnacha is a legend in Ireland. He’s an Olympic swimmer that switched to cards in the 1980s. In 1983, he became the first Irish player to cash at the WSOP. In 1998, he won a WSOP bracelet in Pot-Limit Omaha.
His total live earnings now top $1 million and he was inducted into the Irish Poker Hall of Fame in 2009. O’Dea helped establish Ireland as a serious poker nation by playing and beating some of the world’s best. Known for his calm, calculating play, he inspired a generation of new Irish pros.
Dara O’Kearney
Dara is one of Ireland’s top modern poker pros. A former ultramarathon runner, he only turned to poker in his 40s. He’s now a regular force in the online poker circles and on the European circuit. He’s won over $4 million.
A frequent commentator and coach, he excels in satellites and knockout tournaments. He co-authored popular poker strategy books and hosts a top podcast. Based in Kildare, O’Kearney is admired for his consistency. He’s not flashy, but he wins.
Padraig Parkinson
One of poker’s most colourful figures, Padraig finished third in the 1999 WSOP Main Event, winning $489,125. That year, he was part of a famous Irish trio with Noel Furlong and George McKeever.
To date Parkinson has earned over $1.9 million live including winning the Late Night Poker TV series. The Galway native is also a popular broadcaster known for his sharp wit and storytelling. He brings charisma to the Irish game.
Donnacha O’Brien
Donnacha is part of the new wave of Irish poker stars. He’s the son of champion horse trainer Aidan O’Brien. He shifted from racing to cards and won the EPT Prague Main Event for €1 million in 2018. He also has a WSOP bracelet in the 2019 $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event.
In total O’Brien has earned over $1.6 million live. He’s considered smart, disciplined and calm under pressure, live and online. Despite a short career, he’s already among Ireland’s elite. He represents the next generation.
Irish Poker’s Bright Future
From smoky cardrooms in Cork to global final tables in Vegas, Irish players have already left their mark. The country’s poker scene blends history, humour and fierce competition. With strong local clubs, major tournaments and thriving online play, the pipeline of new talent remains strong.
Upcoming players are learning from veterans. Whether chasing bracelets in Vegas or grinding online from Cork, Irish players continue to impress. The game is evolving globally and Ireland is right there at the forefront. Irish poker’s best hands are still to come.
About the Author
