- John Banville (1945–): Born in Wexford town, Co. Wexford. One of Ireland’s most acclaimed contemporary novelists, Banville is known for his lyrical and intellectually rich prose. His notable works include The Book of Evidence (1989), shortlisted for the Booker Prize, The Sea (2005), which won the Booker Prize, and The Infinities (2009). Writing under the pseudonym Benjamin Black, he also authored the Quirke crime series. His connection to Wexford town is well-documented, and his work often reflects a deep engagement with Irish settings and themes.
- Colm Tóibín (1955–): Born in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. A distinguished novelist, essayist, and critic, Tóibín is celebrated for his finely crafted novels exploring identity, family, and Irish history. Key works include The Blackwater Lightship (1999), The Master (2004), shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Brooklyn (2009), adapted into an Oscar-nominated film, and Nora Webster (2014), set in Enniscorthy. His Wexford roots profoundly influence his writing, particularly his depictions of small-town life.
- Eoin Colfer (1965–): Born in Wexford town, Co. Wexford. A globally successful novelist, Colfer is best known for his Artemis Fowl series (2001–2012), a bestselling young adult fantasy saga. His other works include The Supernaturalist (2004) and The Wish List (2000). Colfer’s engaging storytelling and imaginative worlds have made him a leading figure in children’s and young adult literature.
- Billy Roche (1949–): Born in Wexford town, Co. Wexford. Primarily known as a playwright, Roche has also written fiction, including the novel Tumbling Down (1986), which complements his dramatic works like The Wexford Trilogy (1988–1992). His writing captures the social fabric of Wexford life, drawing on his deep ties to the county. Roche’s contributions to Irish literature are recognized for their regional authenticity.
- Claire Keegan (1968–): Born in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2022 for Small Things Like These, a novella addressing Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries. Keegan, raised on a farm in Wicklow, is celebrated for her concise, powerful prose.
- Claire Keegan (1968–): Born in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Celebrated for her concise, powerful prose, Keegan’s novella Small Things Like These (2021), shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, addresses Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries. Other works like Foster (2010) and So Late in the Day (2023) explore human relationships and rural Irish life. Her Wexford upbringing influences her atmospheric settings.
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 Wexford:
Ireland’s county Wexford combines coastal beauty with historic sites, with the Hook Lighthouse, one of the world’s oldest, offering scenic coastal views. The Irish National Heritage Park recreates ancient and medieval settlements, while Wexford’s beaches, like Curracloe, provide sandy shores for walking. Other attractions include the historic town of Enniscorthy and its castle. Wexford is Ireland’s 13th largest county by size (2,351 square km) and 14th largest by population (163,919). Population peaked at 202,033 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 83,308 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Wexford is Ireland’s eighth most visited tourist county with around 229,000 international visitors per year.
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