Jonathan Swift was an Irish author and satirist. Best known for writing Gulliver's Travels, he was dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

• Writer
  (1667–1745)

Maeve Binchy was the author of various literary works, including 16 novels. Her most popular books include Light a Penny Candle, Echoes, Circle of Friends and Tara Road.

• Author, Journalist
  (1940–2012)

Irish republican and rebel Wolfe Tone led a French military force to Ireland during the insurrection of 1798.

• Military Leader
  (1763–1798)

John Millington Synge was a playwright and a leading figure of the Irish literary renaissance. He wrote Playboy of the Western World, drawing on everyday life.

• Playwright
  (1871–1909)

Liam O'Flaherty was a novelist and short story writer and a leading writer of the Irish literary renaissance.

• Author
  (1896–1984)

Author Flann O’Brien’s most famous novel, At Swim-Two-Birds, combines folklore, poetry and humor. It was published in 1939.

• Writer
  (1911–1966)

Irish tenor John McCormack made his Italian debut in 1906. After his London debut, an international operatic career ensued, especially in the United States.

• Singer
  (1884–1945)

Gerard Manley Hopkins, a priest born in England in 1844, wrote poetry which influenced many leading poets of the 20th century.

• Poet, Priest
  (1844–1889)

Seamus Heaney was a renowned Irish poet and professor who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature.

• Poet, Academic, Journalist, Educator
  (1939–2013)

Journalist Arthur Griffith was a founder of the Irish nationalist movement (Sinn Féin) and briefly served as President of the Irish Republic in 1922.

• (1871–1922)

Irish revolutionary Eamon de Valera (1882-1975) was the head of Sinn Féin, and the third president of an independent Ireland.

• President (non-U.S.)
  (1882–1975)

Bredan Behan was a rebellious Irish author of plays and short stories noted for his earthy satire and powerful political commentary.

• Author, Journalist, Playwright
  (1923–1964)

Sean MacBride was an Irish politician and the former chief of staff of the IRA

• Activist, Government Official, Diplomat
  (1904–1988)

James Larkin was an Irish labor organizer and activist who founded the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union.

• Activist, Folk Hero
  (1874–1947)