James Joyce (1882-1941) was an Irish novelist, poet, and literary critic. His works, including The Ulysses and The Dubliner, are some of the most influential modernist texts, not just for Ireland, but for all of western literature. His use of stream of consciousness, wordplay, and inner monologue as well as his eye for detail has influenced many writers, film makers, and creatives and continues to do so today.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) grew up in Dublin and went to Protora Royal School in Enniskillen. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford. He is known for works such as De Profundis, The Picture of Dorian Grey, and The Happy Prince. During his life, Wilde was not only known for his writing but also for his colourful appearance, bubbly personality and tragic imprisonment.

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was the first irish writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He drew inspiration from Sligo, "The land of heart's desire". He' along with Lady Gregory and others, was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival. T. S. Eliot described him as the greatest poet of the twentieth century, and his work covers themes of the mystic, folklore, and the romantic. Some of his most well known poems include The Lake Isle of Innisfree, Easter 1916, The Stolen Child, and The Song of Wandering Aengus.

Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) lived and worked in Bellaghy, Northern Ireland, and is Ireland's 4th winner Nobel Literary laureate. A poet, translator, and literature scholar, he taught at St Joseph's College in Belfast and later at Oxford University. His poetry is strongly influenced by his family and introduced a lot of new words and expressions to the English language. Some of his most well known works include collections such as Death of a Naturalist and Door into the Dark, as well as his translation of Beowulf from Old English into modern English.

Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) went to school at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen and later studied at Trinity College in Dublin. He taught at Campbell College, one of Ireland's leading Independent Schools. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and wrote plays in French and English. His most well known play is Waiting for Godot. Beckett is well known for his minimalist writing style and short sentences.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was a dramatist, politician, and music critic. He was also awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Oscar for the best screenplay for his adaptation of Pygmalion. His work inclued both contemporary satire and historical allegory. Additionally, he rejected the idea of art for arts sake and was convinced that all art must be didactic. Some of his poems include My Front Room and Rough Nights.

Isabella Augusta Gregory (1852-1932) was a dramatist, folklorist, and theatre manager. She is most well known for her work behind the Irish Literary Revival. Furthermore, she was the patron to many Irish writers including W. B. Yeats. Her home was the beautiful Coole Park in County Galway.

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was a writer and literature scholar. He grew up in Belfast and briefly attended Campbell College, Belfast. He went up to Oxford University and later, he returned to Magdalen College and Cambridge to teach. He is most well known for the Chronicles of Narnia and his theological works, such as The Screwtape Letters. All of Lewis' fiction works include Christian themes such as sin and redemption.

Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967) was a poet known for portraying the common and everyday Irish life. His best known works include On Raglan Road and The Great Hunger. Kavanagh started his career as a farmer and only left farming after publishing his first poems to pursue writing fulltime. Many writers were influenced by his work, including Seamus Heaney. Even today, his works continue to inspire creatives. Russell Crowe commented on Kavanagh's work: "I like how he combines the kind of mystic into really clear, evocative work that can make you glad you are alive"

John McGahern (1936-2006) was a novelist, essayist, and playwriter. For his works, he drew inspiration from his personal life. A common theme in his literature is finding the self. His most important works include Amongst Women, The Barracks, and The Dark.

Peig Sayers (1873-1958) was Ireland's most influential storyteller. Not only is her memoir part of the literary canon but it was also mandatory reading in Irish lessons for many years. Her other stories and folklore were recorded in the Machnamh Seanmhná. Sayers did not write her stories, but used a scribe to whom she dictated them.

Tomás Ó Criomhthain (1856-1937) was a fisherman and writer. His works are among the most important of the Gaelic Irish Literature and he is considered the godfather of the Gaelic Irish Literature. He wrote two books in Irish: Allagar na h‑Inise and An tOileánach, both are central texts of the Irish Revival. They portray the everyday life of fishermen and peasants.

John Millington Synge (1871-1909) was an Irish dramatist who grew up and studied at Trinity College in Dublin and later in Germany. After travelling to Europe, he settled on the Aran Islands where he wrote the plays he is known for today. He is best known for his works The Playboy of the Western World, In the Shadow of the Glen, and Riders to the Sea. He was a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. The main themes in his works include the Irish rural everyday life.

Percy French (1854-1920) was known for his poetry, songs, and performances. While studying at Trinity College in Dublin, he wrote his first song and started his creative career. His works include a sketch written for Queen Victoria's visit to Dublin in 1900, The Queen's After Dinner Speech. What makes his work memorable, is its humour and light-heartedness. Additionally, he was a renowned watercolour painter.