A picture from Ireland - Lismore Castle, Co Waterford. My grandmother's hometown.
You don’t have to be Irish to be a great writer, but it helps. An oft debated point is the essential ingredient that has given the Irish the edge re the written word ever since the Book of Kells. There are many takes on the matter. Some say it’s because although most Irish writers write in English, they use the syntax, structure and playfulness of the Irish language which gives a mastery and an unusual manner of wielding English that results in, well, pure poetry. Others suggest it is our tradition of story telling, living on in sizzling and stinging pub banter. Some put it down to our sad history, allowing for a depth and pain to infuse our written word. However, I’m with the crowd that says its simply because we’re a race of freaking geniuses. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís…
Famous Irish writers: Sebastian Barry, Samuel Beckett, Elizabeth Bowen, John Banville, Brendan Behan, Dion Boucicault, Roddy Doyle, Emma Donoghue, Maria Edgeworth, Brian Friel, Oliver Goldsmith, Neil Jordan, John B. Keane, Colum McCann, John McGahern, Iris Murdoch, C.S. Lewis, Edna O’Brien, Jennifer Johnston, James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh, Molly Keane, Hugh Leonard, Martin McDonagh, Frank McGuinness, Sean O’Casey, Joseph O’Connor, George Bernard Shaw, John Millington Synge, Colm Toibin, Oscar Wilde, WB Yates, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift… to name but a few.
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About suehealy
I am a native of Waterford, Ireland and a journalist and editor since 1992. I am also an alumna of the UEA’s MA in Creative Writing. Since graduating in 2009, my short stories and drama have won the Molly Keane Memorial Award, the HISSAC Prize, the Sussex Playwrights’ Prize, the Meridian Prize, the Waterford-Annaghmakerrig Award and the Ted O’Regan Arts Award. I have also been short-listed for numerous other prizes including the Fish Short Story Competition and the BBC International Playwriting Award. I produced my own Broadcasting Authority of Ireland funded radio drama 'Cow', which was directed by Aosdana member Jim Nolan and broadcast on KCLR 96fm, April , 2013. My stageplay, 'Shellakybooky' was one of five plays selected for performance for the Contemporary European Drama Review at UEA, Norwich, April 13th, 2013. I playedn'Mar' in this production. To date, my prose has been anthologized /published in seven respected literary publications across the UK, Ireland, Hungary and Australia. I was artist-in-residence on Inis Oirr throughout January 2013 and am a 2013 Escalator Literature Artist. I currently teach creative writing to offenders, tutor online and run a creative writing consultation service. Additionally, I am an Associate member of the U.K.'s Institute for Learning, the further education professional body and am a qualified TEFL teacher. I am currently working on a novel and a screenplay.
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View all posts by suehealy
March 17th, 2012 at 10:10
Happy St Patricks day to you
March 17th, 2012 at 11:26
I have this theory that it is the Celtic tradition of passing on tales orally that’s given the Irish such a gift. Happy St Patrick’s Day.
March 17th, 2012 at 15:02
That’s an impressive looking list of authors. Happy St P’s!
March 17th, 2012 at 18:20
My ancestors, John and Sarah McInally, emigrated to Ile-du-Grand Calumet, Quebec, Canada from Northern Ireland in 1781. Some of their descendants later came to America. So I guess there’s hope for me as a writer. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March 17th, 2012 at 19:22
Erin go bragh!
March 17th, 2012 at 22:08
Thanks for a great post – I think you’ve nailed why Irish writers were always so good with the language. It isn’t a stretch to say that all the best English writers were Irish… I believe that the tax laws also had something to do with the twentieth century flowering in the emerald isle – writing income wasn’t taxed. A practical and mundane matter, but one that’s given the world so much to enjoy.
Matthew Wright
http://mjwrightnz.wordpress.com
http://www.matthewwright.net
March 17th, 2012 at 22:40
Excellent salute to the holiday. Speaking of Irish lit, I read “Cal” a long time ago. Does anyone remember the author?
March 18th, 2012 at 02:13
Loved it, Sue. And loved Ireland and Lismore castle. Even wore shamrock earrings today though I’m definitely not Irish. Maybe I’m wannabe Irish!
March 18th, 2012 at 17:57
Hey, U2 are awesome song writers!
March 20th, 2012 at 00:00
Loved the list.
March 20th, 2012 at 03:55
I can feel the damp! Brrr!
March 20th, 2012 at 20:39
Whatever the reason, Sue, I found such a welcome for my writer’s heart and mind and soul in Ireland!
I just made 2 posts reflecting long ago visits:
http://bardessdmdenton.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/to-eire-with-love/
http://bardessdmdenton.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/to-eire-with-love-once-more/
Belated Happy St Patrick’s Day!
(And thanks for the list, by the way)