List of Irish women writers

This is a list of women writers who were born in Ireland or whose writings are closely associated with that country.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

A

• Mary Jane Adams (1840–1902), Irish-American poet
• Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895), Anglo-Irish hymn writer and poet
• Eleanor Jane Alexander (1857–1939), poet and novelist
• Deborah Alcock (1835–1913), historical novelist, memoirist
• Cecelia Ahern (born 1981), novelist, short story writer
• Liz Allen (born 1969), investigative journalist, best selling novelist
• Colette Nic Aodha (born 1967), poet
• Karen Ardiff, Irish playwright and novelist
• Geraldine Aron (born 1951), playwright
• Mary Arrigan (born 15 February 1943), illustrator, artist and novelist
• Sarah Atkinson (1823–1893), biographer, essayist, philanthropist

B

• Mary Barber (c.1685–c.1755), successful poet, author of Poems on several occasions
• Leland Bardwell (1928–2016), poet, novelist, playwright
• Alex Barclay, pseudonym of Yve Williams, (born 1974), journalist and crime writer
• Jane Barlow (1857–1917), poet, novelist
• Margaret Barrington (1896–1982), short story writer, essayist
• Samantha Barry (born c.1981), journalist, editor
• Eileen Battersby (c.1958–2018), literary critic
• Henrietta Battier (c.1751–1813), poet, satirist, actress
• Sara Baume (born 1984), novelist
• Annie O'Meara de Vic Beamish, (1886–1969), novelist, playwright, translator
• Louisa Beaufort (1781–1863), antiquarian, writer and artist
• Emily Elizabeth Shaw Beavan, (1818–1897), poet
• Mary Beckett (1926–2013), playwright for radio, short story writer, children's writer
• Louie Bennett (1870–1956), suffragette, journalist and novelist
• Tara Bergin (born 1974), poet
• Sara Berkeley (born 1967), poet
• Maeve Binchy (1939–2012), novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist
• E. Owens Blackburne (1848–1894), pen name writer and novelist, Elizabeth Casey
• Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789–1849), novelist, essayist, letter writer
• Gertrude Elizabeth Blood (1857–1911), journalist, writer, playwright and editor
• Eavan Boland (1944–2020), poet, non-fiction writer
• Angela Bourke (born 1952), writer, historian, interested in folklore
• Eva Bourke, German-born Irish poet since c.1985
• Elizabeth Bowen (1899–1973), novelist, short story writer, author of Eva Trout
• Sarah Bowie, Irish illustrator and writer
• Clare Boylan (1948–2006), journalist, critic, novelist, short story writer
• Hilary Boyle (1899–1988), journalist, broadcaster, and activist
• Éilís Ní Bhrádaigh (1927–2007), writer and lexicographer
• Deirdre Brennan (born 1934), bilingual poet, short-story writer and playwright
• Maeve Brennan (1917–1993), short story writer, journalist, from 1934 in the United States
• Sarah Rees Brennan (born 1983), young adult novelist
• Máire Bradshaw (born 1943), poet and publisher
• Teresa Brayton (1868–1943), poet, contributed to American newspapers
• Charlotte Brooke (c.1740–1793), writer, translator of Irish-language poetry
• Mary Brück (1925–2008), astronomer, science historian
• Catherine Dorothea Burdett (1784–1861), novelist
• Patricia Burke Brogan (fl. 1990s), playwright and poet
• Charlotte Brooke (c.1740–1793), poet, author of Reliques of Irish Poetry
• Mary Bonaventure Browne (17th century), nun, abbess, historian
• Frances Browne (1816–1879), poet, novelist, children's writer
• Colette Bryce (born 1970), poet
• Ann Buckley (fl. 1990s), musicologist, non-fiction writer
• Selina Bunbury (1802–1882), prolific novelist
• Anne Burke (fl.1780–1805), was an Irish novelist in the Gothic genre
• Patricia Burke Brogan (born c.1934), playwright, novelist, poet, artist
• Catherine Byron (born 1947), poet

C

• June Caldwell (born c. 1970), journalist, short story writer
• Margaret Callan (c. 1817–c. 1883), teacher, nationalist, writer, used the pseudonym Thornton MacMahon
• Caitilin Dubh (fl. c. 1624), early poet, wrote elegies
• Moya Cannon (born 1956), poet, journal editor
• Ethna Carbery (1866–1902), poet, journalist, short story writer
• Mary Birkett Card (1774–1817), Abolitionist and feminist poet
• Amy Carmichael (1867–1951), missionary, many works on her work in India
• Orlaith Carmody (born 1960), businesswoman, writer and news reporter
• Marina Carr (born 1964), playwright
• Austin Carroll (1835–1909), nun and writer, emigrated to United States
• Claudia Carroll (born c. 1969), best-selling author
• Anne-Marie Casey (born 1965), screenwriter, novelist
• Agnes Castle (c.1860–1922), novelist, playwright and short story writer
• Anne Chambers, since 2007, novelist, screenwriter, biographer
• Maureen Charlton (1930–2007), playwright, poet and broadcaster
• Anna Maria Chetwode (fl. 1827), novelist
• Lana Citron (born 1969) writer
• Josephine Fitzgerald Clarke (1865–1953), Irish romance novelist
• Maude Clarke (1892–1935), historian
• Agnes Mary Clerke (1842–1907), astronomer, writer
• Eliza Dorothea Cobbe, Lady Tuite (c. 1764–1850), poet and children's writer
• Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904), writer and suffragist
• Patricia Cockburn (1914–1989), journalist and artist
• Mary Colum (1884–1957), literary critic, memoirist
• Helena Concannon (1878–1952), historian, non-fiction writer, politician
• Evelyn Conlon (born 1952), novelist, short story writer
• Marita Conlon-McKenna (born 1956), children's writer, author of Under the Hawthorn Tree
• Susan E. Connolly (c. 1970), fiction and non fiction writer
• June Considine (born 1945), children's writer and novelist
• Dorothea Conyers (1869–1949), romantic novelist
• Melosina Lenox-Conyngham (1941–2011), columnist and writer
• Roz Cowman (born 1942), poet
• Mary Costello (fl. 2010s), short story writer, novelist
• Ethna Byrne-Costigan (1904–1991) writer and academic
• Emily Crawford (1841–1915), journalist
• Mabel Sharman Crawford (1820–1912), an Irish adventurer, feminist and writer
• Isabella Valancy Crawford (1846–1887), Irish-born Canadian poet, short story writer, novelist
• Máirín Cregan (1891–1975), nationalist and writer
• Elizabeth Christitch (1861–January 26, 1933) Irish journalist, writer, poet, translator and Serbian patriot
• Bithia Mary Croker (1848–1920), novelist
• May Crommelin (1850–1930), novelist, travel writer
• Sarah Crossan (fl. 2010s), young adult writer
• Julia Crottie (1853–about 1930), novelist and short story writer
• Catherine Ann Cullen, Irish poet
• Majella Cullinane (fl. 2010s), novelist, poet, now in New Zealand
• Geraldine Cummins (1890–1969), spiritualist, novelist and playwright
• Judi Curtin, Irish children's writer
• Margaret Anna Cusack (1829–1899), nun, novelist, biographer, non-fiction writer, poet
• Sidney Czira (1889–1974), journalist, broadcaster, writer and revolutionary

D

• Emma Dabiri author, academic, and broadcaster
• Ita Daly (born 1945), novelist and short story writer
• Mary E. Daly (fl. 1980s), historian
• Mildred Darby (1867–1932), novelist
• Ailbhe Darcy (born 1981), poet
• Suzanne R. Day (1876–1964), feminist, playwright and novelist
• Mildred Darby (1867–1932), Gothic novelist and owner of Leap Castle
• Annabel Davis-Goff (born 1942), memoirist, novelist, reviewer, now in the United States
• Mary Davys (1674–1732), novelist, playwright, author of The Reform'd Coquet
• Suzanne R. Day (1876–1964), feminist, novelist and playwright
• Alice Dease (1874–1949), novelist
• Charlotte Dease (1873–1953), prayer collector and writer
• Denise Deegan (born 1966), screenwriter and young adult writer
• Teresa Deevy (1894–1963), playwright, short story writer, also wrote for radio
• Martina Devlin, award-winning columnist and best selling novelist
• Polly Devlin (born 1944), novelist, short story writer, broadcaster
• Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (born 1954), novelist, short story writer, children's writer, playwright, writes in Irish and English
• Máirín Diamond (born 1957), poet
• Eilís Dillon (1920–1994), children's writer, historical novelist, wrote in Irish and English
• Lady Margaret Domville (1840–9 January 1929), Irish aristocrat and writer
• Emma Donoghue (born 1969), playwright, historian, novelist, now living in Canada, author of Room
• Aoife Dooley (born 1991), writer, illustrator and graphic designer
• Mary Dorcey (born 1950), short story writer, poet, novelist
• Ellen Mary Patrick Downing, poet
• Mary Downing (c. 1815–1881), poet and nationalist
• Catharine Drew (1832–1910), journalist
• Nora Dryhurst (1856–1930), nationalist and writer
• Dorothea Du Bois (1728–1774), musical entertainment writer
• Ruth Dudley Edwards (born 1944), crime fiction novelist, journalist, broadcaster
• Bella Duffy, (1849–1926), writer and translator
• Bernie Dwyer (1943–2013), journalist

E

• Charlotte O'Conor Eccles (1860–1911), novelist, short story writer, columnist
• Frances Anne Edgeworth (1769–1865), memoirist, botanical artist
• Maria Edgeworth (1768–1849), novelist, children's writer, author of The Purple Jar
• George Egerton, pen name of Mary Chavelita Dunne Bright (1859–1945), short story writer, novelist, playwright, translator
• Olivia Elder (1735–1780), poet
• Marianne Elliott (born 1948), historian
• Anne Enright (born 1962), essayist, short story writer, novelist, non-fiction writer
• Erminda Rentoul Esler (c. 1852–1924), novelist, short story writer
• Elsa d'Esterre-Keeling (1857–1935), novelist
• Martina Evans (born 1961), poet and novelist

F

• Elaine Feeney (born 1979), poet
• Mrs. E. M. Field(1856–1940), children and historical
• N. P. Figgis (1939–2014), archaeologist and author
• Sarah Mary Fitton (c. 1796–1874), writer interested in botany
• Barbara Fitzgerald (1911–1982), novelist
• Kitty Fitzgerald (born September 25, 1946), writer, poet, playwright
• Theodora FitzGibbon (1916–1991), cookbook writer, novelist, actress
• Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (born 1962), novelist, children's writer, illustrator
• Patricia Forde (born c. 1960), children's writer
• Anne Marie Forrest (born 1967), widely translated novelist
• Ellen Forrester (1828–1883), nationalist and poet
• Lydia Mary Foster (1867–1943), writer and novelist
• Lorraine Francis (born 1958), children's writer
• M. E. Francis (1859–1930), novelist
• Celia de Fréine (born 1948), poet, playwright, screenwriter, librettist, writing in Irish and English
• Katy French (1983–2007), model, television personality, columnist
• Tana French (born 1973), novelist, actress, author of In the Woods
• Sarah Mary Fitton (c. 1796–1874), botanist, non-fiction writer, children's writer
• Anne Fuller (died 1790), novelist in the Gothic genre
• Alice Furlong (1866–1946), poet, feminist, wrote in English and Irish

G

• Gertrude Gaffney (died 1959), journalist
• Maureen Gaffney (born 1947), psychologist, non-fiction writer
• Margaret Gallagher (fl. 1970s), writer specializing in gender and media
• Miriam Gallagher (born 1940), plays, scripts, books, stories
• Evie Gaughan (born 1976), writer and artist
• Ruth Gilligan (born 1988), best selling novelist
• Dr. Maude Glasgow (1876–1955), early pioneer in public health and preventative medicine as well as an activist for equal rights.
• Lady Blanche Girouard (1898–1940), writer
• Eva Gore-Booth (1870–1926), poet, playwright, feminist
• Clotilde Graves (1863–1932), novelist and playwright
• Ida Margaret Graves Poore (1859–1941), writer and poet
• Áine Greaney (c. 1962), writer and editor
• Alice Stopford Green (1847–1929), historian and nationalist
• Sarah Green (fl.1790–1825), Irish-English novelist
• Augusta, Lady Gregory (1852–1932), playwright, folk story writer, poet, memoirist, travelled widely
• Frances Greville (c 1724–1789), poet, social celebrity
• Constantia Grierson (c.1705–1732), editor, poet, classical scholar
• Sarah Maria Griffin (born c. 1988), Irish writer and poet
• Elizabeth Griffith (1727–1793), playwright, novelist, essayist, translator
• Beatrice Grimshaw (1870–1953), novelist, travel writer
• Vona Groarke (born 1964), poet
• Isabel Grubb (1881–1972), historian
• Veronica Guerin (1958–1996), journalist
• Althea Gyles (1868–1949), poet, artist

H

• Anna Maria Hall (1800–1881), playwright, novelist, short story writerist
• C. J. Hamilton, (1841–1935) novelist and journalist
• Marianne-Caroline Hamilton (1777–1861), artist and memoirist
• Emma Hannigan (1972–2018), novelist, memoirist
• Kerry Hardie (born 1951), poet and novelist
• Elizabeth Hardy (1794–1854), novelist
• Nancy Harris, successful playwright since c. 2012
• Anne Le Marquand Hartigan (born 1940s), poet, playwright, painter
• Johanna Harwood (born 1930), screenwriter
• Anne Haverty (born 1959), novelist and poet
• Mary Hayden (1862–1942), historian, Irish-language and women's rights activist
• Annie French Hector, 'Mrs. Alexander' (1825–1902), popular novelist
• Barbara Hemphill (died 1858), novelist
• Claire Hennessy (born 1986), young adult novelist
• Dorothea Herbert (c. 1767–1829), diarist, poet
• Marie Herbert (born 1941), adventurer and author
• Sarah Herbert (1824–1846), Irish-Nova Scotian author, publisher and educator
• Jane Emily Herbert (1821–1882), acclaimed poet
• Emily Henrietta Hickey (1845–1923), poet, writer on religion, translator
• Elizabeth Hickey (1917–1999), historian
• Mary Agnes Hickson (1821–1899), historian
• F. E. Higgins, pen name of Fiona Higgins, novelist since 2007
• Rita Ann Higgins (born 1955), poet, playwright
• Pamela Hinkson (1900–1982), novelist
• Mary Hobhouse (1864–1901), poet, novelist
• Mary Anne Holmes (1773–1805), poet
• Norah Hoult (1898–1984), novelist and short story writer
• Caoilinn Hughes (fl. 2010s), novelist, short story writer
• Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (1855–1897), popular novelist, short story writer
• Arlene Hunt (born 1972), crime fiction novelist

J

• Rosamund Jacob (1888–1960), diarist, novelist
• Anna Brownell Jameson (1794–1860), Irish-born British non-fiction writer, essayist
• Biddy Jenkinson (born 1949), Irish-language poet, short story writer and dramatist
• Rosemary Jenkinson (born 1967), poet, playwright and short story writer
• Jennifer Johnston (born 1930), novelist, author of How Many Miles to Babylon?
• Lauren-Shannon Jones (born c. 1989), horror playwright and performer
• Kate Jordan (1862–1926), Irish-American novelist and playwright
• Ann Henning Jocelyn (born 1948), writer, playwright and translator

K

• Julia Kavanagh (1824–1877), children's writer, novelist, stories mainly based in France
• Rose Kavanagh (1860–1891), newspaper editor, columnist, poet
• Úna-Minh Kavanagh (born 1991), journalist, travel writer
• Anna Kelly (1891–1958), journalist and the first women's page editor in Ireland
• Molly Keane (1904–1996), novelist and playwright
• Cathy Kelly (born 1966), journalist, widely translated women's fiction novelist
• Maeve Kelly (born 1930), novelist, short story writer, poet
• Mary Eva Kelly (1826–1910), poet, emigrated to Australia
• Rita Kelly (born 1953), poet, writing in Irish and English
• Sonya Kelly playwright
• Mary Olivia Kennedy (1880–1943), journalist
• Marian Keyes (born 1963), successful novelist, non-fiction writer, works widely translated
• Molly Keane (1904–1996), novelist, playwright
• Paula Keane (born 1977), novelist and short story writer
• Celine Kiernan (born 1967), young adult novelist, children's writer
• Carla King (fl. 2000s), historian
• Margaret King (1773–1835), children's writer, non-fiction works
• Elaine Kinsella (fl. 2000s), radio dramatist
• Olivia Knight (1830–1908), poet, essayist, columnist, from 1860 in to Australia
• Kathleen Knox (1847–1930), Irish author and poet who used the pen name Edward Kane in later life

L

• May Laffan (1849–1916), novelist
• Margaret Rebecca Lahee (1831–1895), Irish Lancashire dialect writer from the 19th century
• Caitriona Lally (fl. 2018), novelist
• Elish Lamont (c.1800–1870), artist, writer and poet
• Lathóg of Tír Chonaill (9th century), poet
• Rosamond Langbridge (1880–1964), novelist, playwright, poet
• Maura Laverty (1907–1966), novelist, short story writer, journalist, broadcaster
• Mary Lavin (1912–1996), pioneering novelist, short story writer
• Emily Lawless (1845–1913), novelist, poet, biographer, historian
• Alice Lawrenson (1841–1900), gardener
• Sybil le Brocquy (1892–1973), playwright and conservationist
• Mary Leadbeater (1758–1826), poet, short story writer, biographer, letter writer
• Ada Leask (1899–1987), historian
• Alicia Sheridan Le Fanu (1753–1817), playwright, published only one play: The Sons of Erin; Or, Modern Sentiment
• Sarah Leech (1809–1830), poet
• Alicia LeFanu (1791–1867), poet, novelist
• Elizabeth Emmet Lenox-Conyngham (1800–1889), poet
• Mae Leonard poet, broadcaster, short story writer
• Mary Isabel Leslie (1899–1978), known as Temple Lane, novelist
• Sybil le Brocquy (1892–1973)
• June Levine (1931–2008), journalist, novelist, feminist writer
• Liadain (7th century), poet
• J.S. Anna Liddiard (1773–1819), romantic poet
• Ruth Frances Long (born 1971), novelist, young adult writer
• Hannah Lynch (1859–1904), Irish novelist, journalist and translator
• Patricia Lynch (1894–1972), children's writer, journalist, short story writer
• Philomena Lynott (1930–2019), memoirist
• Genevieve Lyons (1930–2018), actress, novelist, educator
• Constance Lloyd (1858 – 1898), wife of Oscar Wilde, suffragist, journalist, playwright, and a dress reform activist

M

• Catherine Maberly (1805–1875) Irish writer
• Aifric Mac Aodha (born 1979), poet
• Dorothy Macardle (1889–1958), novelist, playwright, historian
• Bridget G. MacCarthy (1904–1993), literary historian
• Ethna MacCarthy (1903–1959), poet
• Mary Stanislaus MacCarthy (1849–1897), nun, poet
• Doireann MacDermott (born 1923), translator, philologist, non-fiction writer
• Marisa Mackle (born c.1973), novelist
• Eleanor MacMahon (1864–1956), romance novelist
• Kathleen MacMahon, journalist and novelist
• Charlotte Elizabeth MacManus (1850–1941), novelist
• Máire MacNeill (1904–1987), journalist, folklorist, translator
• Catherine Mary MacSorley (1848–1929), children's writer for girls, religious works
• Marie MacSweeney, poet, shortstories
• Máire MacSwiney Brugha (1918–2012), activist and writer
• Audrey Magee (active since 2000), novelist
• Bríd Mahon (1922–2008), novelist and folklorist
• Catherine Gray, Lady Manners (1766–1852), poet
• Mary Manning (1905–1999), novelist, playwright and film critic
• Alicia Catherine Mant (1788–1869), children's writer
• Harriet Evans Martin (died 1846), Anglo-Irish novelist, non-fiction writer
• Harriet Letitia Martin (1801–1891), novelist
• Mary Letitia Martin (1815–1850), novelist
• Violet Florence Martin (1862–1915), novelist, co-authored works with Edith Somerville
• Mary Mathew (1724–1777), diarist
• Caitlín Maude (1941–1982), poet, teacher, actress, singer, wrote in Irish
• Constantia Maxwell (1886–1962), historian
• Joan McBreen (born 1947), poet
• Eimear McBride (born 1976), novelist, author of A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing
• Kate McCabe (fl. 2005), novelist
• Felicity McCall, journalist, playwright since c.2004
• Nell McCafferty (born 1944), journalist, playwright, feminist
• Justine McCarthy (fl. 2000s), journalist
• Mary McCarthy (1951–2013), successful novelist
• Letitia McClintock (1835–1917), writer and folklorist
• Jenny McCudden, since c.2010, journalist, short story writer, poet
• Mary McDermott (fl. 1832), poet
• Mary McDonagh (born 1849), poet
• Rosaleen McDonagh (fl. 2000s), activist and playwright
• Paula McGrath (born 1966), novelist
• Medbh McGuckian (born 1950), Northern-Irish poet, literary writer
• Maura McHugh (fl. 2000s), writer of horror novels, plays, comic books and short stories
• Lisa McInerney (born 1981), novelist, short story writer, blogger
• Pauline McLynn (born 1962), actress, novelist
• Liz McManus (born 1947), politician, novelist
• Janet McNeill (1907–1994), novelist, playwright and children's writer
• Anna McPartlin (born 1972), novelist
• Dervla McTiernan (born c.1977), crime novelist
• L. T. Meade, pen name of Elizabeth Thomasina Meade Smith (1844–1914), prolific young adult and children's writer, mainly for girls, wrote over 300 books
• Norah Meade (1888–1954), journalist
• Roisin Meaney, Irish novelist
• A. Garland Mears (1842–1920), novelist
• Paula Meehan (born 1955), poet, playwright
• Máighréad Medbh (born 1959), poet
• A. L. Mentxaka (active since 2000s), playwright, critic, educator
• Máire Mhac an tSaoi (1922–2021), acclaimed Irish-language scholar, poet, translator
• Betty Miller (1910–1965), novelist, non-fiction writer, biographer, columnist
• Alice Milligan (1865–1953), acclaimed poet
• Anna Millikin (fl. 1793–1810) Gothic novelist
• Lia Mills (fl. 1990s), novelist, short story writer
• Susan L. Mitchell (1866–1926), poet, known for her satirical verse
• Dorothy Molloy (1942–2004), poet, journalist and artist
• Frances Molloy (1947–1991), novelist
• Mary Monck (c. 1677–1715), poet
• Sydney, Lady Morgan (1781–1859), poet, novelist, author of The Wild Irish Girl
• Sinead Moriarty (born c. 1971), novelist
• Sinéad Morrissey (born 1972), poet
• Kathleen Mulchrone (1895–1973), Irish Celtic scholar, writer
• Rosa Mulholland (1841–1921), prolific novelist, poet, playwright, biographer
• Val Mulkerns (1925–2018)), novelist, journalist, columnist, broadcaster
• Sheila Mulloy (1922–2013), historian
• Margaret Mulvihill (born 1954), novelist and non-fiction writer
• Iris Murdoch (1919–1999), Irish-born successful British novelist, philosopher, author of Under the Net
• Agnes G. Murphy (1865–1931), Irish journalist and writer
• C.E. Murphy (born 1973), American-born writer living in Ireland, writing using Irish mythology
• Dervla Murphy (1931–2022), touring cyclist, travel writer
• Elaine Murphy, playwright since c. 2008
• Kathleen M. Murphy (died 1963), poet
• Maura Murphy (1928–2005), autobiographer
• Nora J Murray (1888–1955), poet, short story writer, school teacher

N

• Angela Nagle (born 1984), non-fiction writer
• Mary Nash (born 1947), historian
• Kate Newmann (born 1965), poet and small press founder
• Cláir Ní Aonghusa (born 1953), novelist, poet
• Eibhlín Ní Bhriain (1925–1986), Irish-language journalist
• Síle Ní Chéileachair (1924–1985), Irish-language short story writer
• Dairena Ní Chinnéide (born 1969), poet and short story writer
• Caitríona Ní Chléirchín (fl. 2010), poet
• Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill (c. 1743–c. 1800), poet, lament in Irish
• Nuala Ní Chonchúir (born 1970), novelist, poet
• Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin (born 1942), poet, non-fiction writer
• Annemarie Ní Churreáin (fl. 2010s), poet
• Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill (born 1952), poet, writing in Irish
• Máire Ní Dhonnchadha Dhuibh (c. 1702–c. 1795), poet
• Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (born 1954), novelist and short story writer in Irish and English
• Ciara Ní É bilingual Irish poet, writer and television presenter
• Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh (born 1984), poet, writing in Irish
• Áine Ní Ghlinn (born 1955), poet, children's writer, writing in Irish
• Máiréad Ní Ghráda (1896–1971), poet, playwright, broadcaster
• Doireann Ní Ghríofa (born 1981), poet writing in Irish and English
• Sorcha Ní Ghuairim (1911–1976), columnist, newspaper editor, teacher
• Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire (1774–1849), poet in the oral tradition
• Bríd Ní Mhóráin (born 1951), poet
• Ailís Ní Ríain (fl. 2000s), composer and playwright
• Siobhán Ní Shúilleabháin (1928–2013), dramatist, novelist and children's writer
• Colette Nic Aodha (born 1967), Irish-language poet
• Nuala Níc Con Iomaire (died 2010), playwright
• Sister Nivedita (1867–1911), nun, essayist, non-fiction writer especially on India
• Ellen Kyle Noel (1815–1873), Irish writer who published a number of novels through journals and serialization
• Liz Nugent (born 1967), novelist

O

• Margaret Ó hÓgartaigh (1967–2014), historian
• Kathy O'Beirne (1956–2019), non-fiction writer
• Kathleen O'Brennan (1876–1948), activist, journalist and playwright
• Lily O'Brennan (1878–1948), writer and playwright
• Charlotte Grace O'Brien (1845–1909), novelist, essayist, non-fiction writer and nationalist
• Edna O'Brien (born 1930), novelist, memoirist, playwright, poet, short story writer
• Eileen O'Brien (1925-1986), journalist
• Frances O'Brien (1840–1883), poet and novelist
• Kate O'Brien (1897–1974), novelist, playwright, travel writer
• Mary O'Brien (writer) (fl. 1785–1790), poet and playwright
• Helen O'Clery (1910–2006), children's writer
• Ellen Bridget O'Connell (1805–1883), poet
• Gemma O'Connor (born 1940), novelist, short story writer
• Niamh O'Connor (active since 2000), journalist, novelist
• Mary Barry O'Delaney (1862–1947), journalist and nationalist
• Mary O'Donnell (born 1954), novelist, poet, short story writer
• Mary O'Donoghue (born 1975), novelist, poet, translator
• Mary Jane O'Donovan Rossa (1845–1916), poet and political activist
• Julia O'Faolain (1932–2020), novelist, short story writer, emigrated to the United States
• Nuala O'Faolain (1940–2008), best selling novelist, journalist, television producer, critic, memoirist
• Ursula O'Farrell (born 1934), non-fiction writer on counseling
• Sheila O'Hagan, poet since 1984
• Adelaide O'Keeffe (1776–1865), poet and novelist
• Nessa O'Mahony (fl. 1990s), poet
• Mary O'Malley (born 1954), poet
• Kathleen O'Meara (1839–1888), journalist, novelist, biographer
• Louise O'Neill (born 1985), novelist, young adult writer
• Mary Devenport O'Neill (1879–1967), modernist poet, playwright
• Geraldine O'Neill (born c. 1950s), historical novelist
• Moira O'Neill, pen name of Agnes Shakespeare Higginson (1864–1955), popular Irish-Canadian poet
• Caitriona O'Reilly (born 1973), poet, critic
• Emily O'Reilly (fl. 1970s), journalist, non-fiction writer, ombudsman
• Pat O'Shea (1931–2007), children's writer
• Leanne O'Sullivan (fl. 2004), poet
• Maureen Donovan O'Sullivan (1887–1966), educator, journal editor, historian
• Suzanne O'Sullivan (fl. 2010s), non-fiction writer
• Jane Ohlmeyer (fl. 1990s), historian
• Adela Orpen (1855–1927), essay writer and novelist
• Annette Jocelyn Otway-Ruthven (1909–1989), historian and early female academic
• Olivia Owenson, Lady Clarke (1785–1845), poet and dramatist

P

• Siobhán Parkinson (born 1954), children's writer, novelist, non-fiction writer, translator, writes in English and Irish
• Fanny Parnell (1848–1882), poet, known as the Patriot Poet
• Julie Parsons (born 1951), novelist
• Mrs F. C. Patrick, 18th-century Gothic novelist
• Mabel Cosgrove Wodehouse Pearse (born 1872), novelist
• Margaret Pender (1848–1920), Irish writer and poet
• Ethel Penrose (1857–1938), Irish children's writer
• Amelia Perrier (1841–1875), Irish novelist and travel writer
• Alice Perry (1885–1969), poet, feminist and early engineering graduate
• Daphne Pochin Mould, 20th-century historian, pilot, broadcaster and writer
• Madeleine A. Polland (1918–2005), children's author
• Nannie Lambert Power O'Donoghue, (1843–1940), poet, journalist, novelist, social activist
• Mabel Cosgrove Wodehouse Pearse (born 1872), novelist
• Nicola Pierce (born 1969), Irish writer and ghost writer
• Laetitia Pilkington (c. 1709–1750), poet, memoirist
• Louisa Lilias Plunket Greene (1833–1891), children's writer
• Máire Wyse Power (1887–1916), Irish Celtic scholar
• Stefanie Preissner (born 1988), dramatist, screenwriter, actress
• Katherine Arnold Price (1893–1989), poet and writer
• Deirdre Purcell (born 1945), journalist, novelist, non-fiction writer, actress
• Katherine Purdon (1852–1920), writer

Q

• Marjorie Quarton (born 1930), children's writer, novelist

R

• Sophie Raffalovich (1860–1960), Irish nationalist and writer
• Orlaith Rafter (fl. 1990s), actress and playwright
• Mary Raftery (1957–2012), investigative journalist, filmmaker and writer
• Elizabeth Reapy (fl. 2012), editor, novelist
• Nell Regan (born 1969), poet and non-fiction writer
• Christina Reid (1942–2015), playwright
• Lorna Reynolds (1911–2003), writer, editor and academic
• Grace Rhys (1865–1929), novelist, essayist, poet, children's writer
• Jessie Louisa Rickard (1876–1963), popular novelist
• Charlotte Riddell (1832–1906), influential novelist, short story writer, journal editor
• Lucinda Riley (1965–2021), novelist, actress
• Nesca Robb (1905–1976), poet, non-fiction writer
• Anne Isabella Robertson (c.1830–1910), writer and suffragist
• Regina Maria Roche (1764–1845), popular novelist, author of The Children of the Abbey
• Sally Rooney (born 1991), novelist
• Amanda McKittrick Ros (1860–1939), novelist, poet
• Orna Ross (born 1960), novelist, literary agent
• Rosemarie Rowley (born 1942), poet
• Margot Ruddock (1907–1951), actress, poet
• Meda Ryan (fl. 1980s), historian
• Roma Ryan, since 1982, poet, lyricist
• Elizabeth Ryves (1750–1797), poet, playwright, novelist, journalist, translator

–==S==

• Mary Anne Sadlier (1820–1903), Irish-Canadian novelist, short story writer
• Blanaid Salkeld (1880–1959), poet, playwright, actress, salonist
• Virginia Sandars (1828–1922), author
• Patricia Scanlan (born 1956), novelist
• Eileen Shanahan (1901–1979), poet
• Elizabeth Shane (1877–1951), poet
• Elizabeth Shaw, artist, illustrator and children's writer
• Mabel Sharman Crawford (1820–1912), feminist, travel writer
• Nessa Ní Shéaghda (1916–1993), Irish Celtic Studies scholar
• Eileen Sheehan (born 1963), poet, teacher
• Helena Sheehan (fl. 1980s), philosopher, historian and non-fiction writer
• Betsy Sheridan (1758–1837), diarist
• Frances Sheridan (1724–1766), novelist, playwright
• Dora Sigerson Shorter (1866–1918), poet, sculptor
• Hester Sigerson Piatt (1870–1939), poet and journalist
• Rhoda Cosgrave Sivell (1874–1962), poet
• Niamh Sharkey author and illustrator of children's picturebooks
• Sharon Slater (fl. 2010s), historian
• Doris E. Smith (1919–before 1994), romantic novelist
• Annie M. P. Smithson (1873–1948), novelist and poet
• Cherry Smyth (born 1953), academic, poet, writer and art critic
• Ciara Elizabeth Smyth (fl. 2010s), playwright
• Edith Somerville (1858–1949), novelist in collaboration with her cousin Violet Florence Martin
• Eithne Strong (1925–1999), writer and poet, Irish and English languages
• Deirdre Sullivan, Irish children's writer and poet
• Elinor Sweetman (c. 1861–1922), poet

T

• Jemima von Tautphoeus (1807–1893), novelist, focus on Bavaria
• Alice Taylor (born 1938), novelist, memoirist, poet and children's writer
• Katherine Thurston (1875–1911), novelist, author of The Masquerader
• Mary Tighe (1772–1810), poet
• Melesina Trench (1768–1827), diarist, letter writer, essayist, poet
• Una Troy (1913–1993), novelist, playwright
• Eliza Dorothea Cobbe, Lady Tuite (c. 1764–1850), author and poet
• Lizzie Twigg (1882–1933), poet
• Katharine Tynan (1859–1931), novelist, poet, biographer

V

• Noelle Vial (1959–2003), poet
• Ethel Lilian Voynich (1864–1960), novelist, author of the successful The Gadfly
• Moira Verschoyle (1903–1985)

W

• Helen Waddell (1889–1965), poet, translator, playwright
• Maureen Wall (1918–1972), historian
• Catherine Walsh (born 1964), poet
• Dolores Walshe (born 1949), short story writer, novelist and playwright
• Elizabeth Hely Walshe (1835–1869), writer
• Maria Webb (1804–1873), philanthropist and historian
• Liz Weir (born 1950), storyteller and children's writer
• Biddy White Lennon (1946–2017), actress and food writer
• Sheila Wingfield (1906–1992), poet
• Agnes Romilly White (1872–1945), novelist
• Ida L. White (19th century), poet, feminist
• Isabella Whiteford Rogerson (1835–1905), poet
• Jane Wilde (1821–1896), poet, interested in folk tales
• Catherine Wilmot (1773–1824), travel writer, diarist, letter writer
• Florence Mary Wilson (c. 1870–1946), poet
• Laurie Winkless (fl. 2010s), physicist and science writer
• Denyse Woods (born 1958), novelist
• Isabella Letitia Woulfe (1817–1870), novelist
• Maev-Ann Wren (born 1950s), economist, journalist, newspaper editor, non-fiction writer
• Frances Wynne (1863–1893), poet
• Grace Wynne-Jones (fl. 1990s), playwright, journalist, writer

Y

• Ella Young (1867–1956), poet, Celtic mythologist, children's writer, emigrated to California
• Rose Maud Young (1866–1947), diarist, writer

Z

• Jo Zebedee (born 1971), writer

See also

• List of Irish writers
• List of women writers