- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Born in Dublin but with family ties to Carlow (his father’s family had roots in Kilkenny and Carlow), Shaw was a playwright, critic, and polemicist. Renowned for plays like Pygmalion and Man and Superman, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925. His sharp wit and social commentary reflect the intellectual vibrancy of Ireland’s southeast, including Carlow.
- Mícheál Ó Hannracháin (1877-1916) Born in Carlow, Ó Hannracháin was an Irish scholar, poet, and playwright. A key figure in the Irish Revival, he wrote poems and plays in Irish, such as An tSolas (The Light), promoting Irish language and culture. His work resonated with Carlow’s growing literary scene in the early 20th century.
- Val Vousden (1886-1951) Born William MacDougal in Carlow, Vousden was a versatile writer, actor, and songwriter. Known for his humorous sketches and songs, such as those performed in Dublin’s music halls, he captured Carlow’s cultural spirit through his multifaceted contributions to Irish entertainment.
- Michael Farrell (1899-1962) Born in Carlow, Farrell was a novelist and short-story writer. His novel Thy Tears Might Cease explored Irish rural life and the War of Independence, reflecting Carlow’s social and historical context. His work is noted for its vivid portrayal of local communities.
- Eoghan Ó Tuairisc (1919-1982) Born in Ballinasloe, Galway, but settled in Carlow, Ó Tuairisc was a poet, novelist, and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. His works, like L’Attaque and Dé Luain, blend modernist and Irish literary traditions, with Carlow’s tranquil setting influencing his later output.
- Rita Kelly (1953-present) Born in Galway but a long-time resident of Carlow, Kelly is a poet, playwright, and novelist. Her poetry collections, such as The Whispering Arch, and her novel The Green Shade reflect Irish rural life, with Carlow’s landscapes shaping her lyrical style.
- David Donohue (Unknown-present) Born in Carlow, Donohue is a popular children’s author known for works like The Hedgehog’s Balloon. His engaging stories for young readers draw on Carlow’s community spirit, making him a local literary figure celebrated for accessibility and charm.
- Herbie Brennan (1940-present) Born in Ireland and based in Tullow, County Carlow, Brennan is a prolific children’s and fantasy author. His Faerie Wars series and other works have captivated global audiences, with Carlow’s serene environment providing a backdrop for his creative process.
- Pádraig Ó Snodaigh (1945-present) Born in Carlow, Ó Snodaigh is a poet, historian, and publisher, known for founding the Irish-language press Coiscéim. His poetry, such as Crioslach Fomhair, and historical works celebrate Carlow’s cultural heritage and the Irish language revival.
- Deirdre Brennan (1934-present) Settled in Carlow, Brennan is a poet and writer in both Irish and English. Her works, including poems like Ainniri na Neachtlainne, reflect Carlow’s rural beauty and Irish literary traditions, contributing significantly to the county’s vibrant writing community.
Writers
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Carlow:
Ireland’s County Carlow combines historic landmarks with serene landscapes, with the Carlow Castle ruins and the nearby Altamont Gardens offering a mix of medieval and botanical appeal. The Barrow Way provides scenic riverside walks, while the Brownshill Dolmen, a prehistoric portal tomb, adds ancient history. Carlow is Ireland’s second smallest county by size (896 square km) and third smallest by population (61,968). Population peaked at 86,228 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 33,342 in 1961.In terms of hospitality, Carlow is Ireland’s 23rd most visited tourist county with around 68,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837– 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
