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 (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
 * 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