- Frank O’Connor: Cork city, County Cork (born and lived) (1903–1966) Born Michael O’Donovan in Cork city, O’Connor is celebrated for his short stories and novels, including Guests of the Nation (1931) and The Big Fellow (1937), a biography of Michael Collins. His works often depict Irish life with humour and poignancy, drawing on his Cork upbringing. He is a central figure in Cork’s literary scene. The Frank O’Connor Library and the Cork International Short Story Festival honour his legacy.
- Elizabeth Bowen: Farahy, County Cork (lived, at Bowen’s Court); born in Dublin (1899–1973) A novelist and short-story writer, Bowen spent significant time at Bowen’s Court, her family’s estate in Farahy, near Kildorrery. Her novels, such as The Last September (1929) and The Heat of the Day (1949), explore Anglo-Irish identity and wartime themes. Her Cork connection is central to her work, particularly in depicting the “Big House” culture.
- Una Troy Walsh: Fermoy, County Cork (born) (1910–1993) A novelist and playwright, born in Fermoy, Troy is known for novels like We Are Seven (1955) and Miss Maggie and the Doctor (1958), often published under the pseudonym “Elizabeth Connor.” Her works, set in small-town Ireland, blend humor and social commentary. She lived in England and Dublin but retained strong ties to Fermoy.
- Canon Patrick Augustine Sheehan: Mallow, County Cork (born); Doneraile, County Cork (lived) (1852–1913) A Catholic priest and novelist, Sheehan was born in Mallow and served as a parish priest in Doneraile. His novels, including My New Curate (1899) and Glenanaar (1905), address rural Irish life, faith, and social issues. His work was popular in Ireland and abroad, reflecting his deep connection to Cork’s communities.
- Donn Byrne: Coolmain Castle, near Timoleague, County Cork (lived); born in New York City (1889–1928) A novelist and poet, Byrne lived as a baby in Forkhill, Armagh, but later resided at Coolmain Castle, County Cork. His novels, such as Messer Marco Polo (1921) and Hangman’s House (1926), blend romance and Irish themes. He is buried in Rathclarin, near Timoleague.
- William Trevor (1928–2016): Born in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times: in 1970 for Mrs Eckdorf in O’Neill’s Hotel, 1976 for The Children of Dynmouth, 1987 for The Silence in the Garden, 1991 for Reading Turgenev, and 2002 for The Story of Lucy Gault. Trevor’s nuanced portrayals of Irish and English life are informed by his Cork upbringing, as documented in dib.ie
- Louise O’Neill (1985–): Born in Clonakilty, Co. Cork. A novelist tackling social issues, O’Neill’s debut Only Ever Yours (2014) won the Irish Book Awards’ Newcomer Prize, and Asking for It (2015) addresses sexual assault, earning widespread acclaim. Her feminist young adult novels resonate globally. Her Clonakilty origins ground her work in Irish settings.
- Alice Taylor: Renowned for her memoirs, including To School Through the Fields.
- Billy O’Callaghan: A critically acclaimed novelist and short story writer.
- William Wall: A novelist and poet, longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
- Caroline O’Donoghue: Author of Promising Young Women.
- Conal Creedon: Known for works like Art Imitating Life, Imitating Death.
- Gráinne Murphy: Author of The Winter People.
- Michelle McDonagh: Author of There’s Something I Have To Tell You.
- Eleanor O’Kelly-Lynch: Author of The Girl with Special Knees.
- Daniel Corkery: Author and academic.
- Ethel Lillian Voynich: Author of The Gadfly.
- Alannah Hopkin: Writer and journalist.
- Doireann Ní Ghríofa: Author of A Ghost in the Throat.
Novelists
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
Poets
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
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 Cork:
Ireland’s county Cork blends historic sites with scenic beauty, with Cork City’s English Market and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral offering cultural and architectural depth. Blarney Castle, home to the famous Blarney Stone, provides historic allure, while the coastal town of Kinsale offers sailing and seafood. Other attractions include the Beara Peninsula’s rugged trails. Cork is Ireland’s largest county by size (7,460 sq km) and third largest by population (584,156). Population peaked at 854,118 in 1841 (when Cork was Ireland’s most populous county) and reached its lowest point, 330,443 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Cork is Ireland’s second most visited tourist county with around 1,228,000 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 – New – Name – 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 –
