Ex-brother-in-law of actor Peter Marshall.
Half-brother of actor-entertainer Tommy Noonan, who appeared with him in I Shot Jesse James (1949). (See also Peter Marshall.)
He had two sons by his marriage with 'Elaine Sheldon Rosen: John Ireland and Peter Ireland. He also has a daughter, Daphne Ireland Whelahan, with Daphne Cameron.
He was better known in Hollywood for his wild exploits as a lothario than his work in films. Howard Hawks even included a scene with Ireland and Montgomery Clift in Red River (1948) where they compare the size of their guns, allegedly a wink to Ireland's infamous physical endowments.
He was known as one of the genuine "nice guys" of Hollywood, always eager to meet with his fans, sign autographs and pose for photographs.
He was the very first Vancouver-born actor to be nominated for an Academy Award.