# 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.

## 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
* Margracia Loudon (c.1788–1860), novelist and political author
* 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 (1923–2024), 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 (1930–2024), 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 (died 2017)
* 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
* Evie Woods (born 1976), 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