The most memorable Irish characters in gaming history

Mary Robinson, Michael Collins, Oscar Wilde, Yeats – these notable Irish men and women, along with countless others, are worth celebrating in St Patrick's week, but what about the nation's representation in fiction? Of course, countless iconic Irish characters have appeared in literature, film and television, but the Emerald Isle's representation in the gaming medium has also been strong.

But it's quality over quantity – a quick Google search will reveal that the options for games set in Ireland are depressingly scarce despite the country being so rich in natural beauty, history and drama. But the people of Ireland, as hardy and adventurous as they often are, have served as the inspiration for a number of video game characters, big and small, good and bad, over the years. Here are just a handful of the most memorable, impactful or iconic Irish characters in gaming history.

Sean Devlin – The Saboteur

Saboteur is sorely underrated. At the very least, it's a strong example of the thriving AA scene of the Xbox 360 era, with a workable, Assassin's Creed– inspired by an open world and a handful of bold, memorable elements. One such element is the protagonist Sean Devlin, whose quick wit, musical Mick accent and devilish attitude can bring a very welcome charm to the game. SaboteurGood old-fashioned Nazi escapades.

Released: December 8, 2009
ESRB: m
Developers: Pandemic Studios
Publishers: Electronic Arts
Engine: havok, proprietary engine

Moira O'Deorain – Overwatch

Overwatch would be nothing without its lovable and memorable characters, and Moira O'Deorain is definitely one of the most interesting of the bunch. Moira's background in genetic research and giant intellect allow her to wield biotic powers for good and evil, capable of healing allies and damaging enemies in one fell swoop. She is somewhat controversial off the battlefield, as her pursuit of increasingly significant scientific discoveries borders on fanaticism. But she is always driven by her concern for humanity, which adds a layer of empathy to the tried-and-true mad scientist archetype.

Overwatch (Formerly Overwatch 2) S1 Conquest Tag Page Cover Art-1

Released: August 10, 2023
ESRB: Teen / Violence, Blood, Mild Language, Tobacco Use, User Interaction, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Sean MacGuire – Red Dead Redemption 2

In keeping with the theme of boyish charm, no discussion of Irish gaming characters would be complete without mentioning Sean MacGuire of Red Dead Redemption 2. Like many other members of the Van der Linde Gang, Sean is an immigrant, though it's almost more accurate to say he's a citizen of the Dutch Republic: he shares his leader's lofty dreams of freedom, and this liberation mentality may be what informs his recklessness and youthful exuberance. As Red Dead Redemption 2 fans know very well that these features of Sean are a double-edged sword.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Tag Page Cover Art

Released: October 26, 2018
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, sexual content, strong language, drug and alcohol use

Nina Williams – Tekken

Nina isn't the most complex or unique character, but she's an undeniable part of the game's history. As part of the original Tekken She is the only female character to appear in every single Tekken entry, which automatically makes it an important part of the fighting genre (first Tekken after all released over 30 years ago). In addition, she is notable as one of the first Irish characters in video games, courtesy Tekkeninternational premise.

Nina Williams got her own action adventure spin-off in 2005, Namco's Death by degrees for PS2.

Released: January 26, 2024
ESRB: t

Patrick “Packie” McReary – Grand Theft Auto

Patrick “Packie” McReary still manages to stand out in a franchise full of particularly impressive and lovable characters. One of the few people Niko Bellic can call a true friend, Packie's relationship with Ireland is somewhat unique. Born and raised in Liberty City, Packie has never even visited Ireland, yet he is true to his heritage through his affiliation with the McCreary Crime Family, a mafia fighting Russian and Italian organized crime for control of the city. As such, ethnicity is central to Packie's worldview, although he is still blatantly American in many ways.

Released: April 29, 2008
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood, intense violence, partial nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, drug and alcohol use

Ellen Reid – Folklore

While the above characters are either world travelers or transplants, FolkloreEllen Reid was born and raised in Ireland and her story is intimately connected to the Irish folklore mentioned in the game's title. In general, Folklore is a fantastic RPG for those who want to see more of Irish culture in games, as it is all set on the island as well as its mystical realm. She is fully enmeshed in the country's charms and thus is much more attuned to her homeland than most other Irish video game characters.