Famous Irish Authors Who Helped Promote Irish Tourism

Updated On: April 20, 2024 by   Dina Essawy

Every country around the world prides itself on its culture and heritage, and who better to represent a country’s culture than its public figures, especially its authors?

Ireland has a long history of bringing forth perhaps some of the best and most prominent authors. Whose names have been immortalized in literary history. Every Irish author on this list significantly impacted the country’s tourism by highlighting its beautiful historical sites and stunning locations. That made their readers unable to resist visiting such a gorgeous country.

Irish tourism will be forever grateful for their fantastic influence. Dublin was once named the City of Literature by UNESCO. Therefore, we saw fit to discuss some of the authors who have made Ireland the cultural hub it is today.

Famous Irish Authors and Writers

1.C.S Lewis

C.S Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898 and created the world of Narnia, which is loved worldwide. However, he moved to England later in his life. Lewis is said to have enjoyed many trips to the North Coast of Ireland. In that, the stunning ruins of Dunluce Castle inspired a well-known castle from his stories.

Whether it’s the stunning imagery in his stories or his well-rounded life, you cannot help but be intrigued about where he’s been and how he drew the inspiration that helped him create one of the most well-known children’s books ever.

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind – C.S Lewis

In honour of the great author, the city of Belfast created a square in his name, so head over to the article to see how his famous characters were immortalized in the heart of the city of Belfast! In Rostrevor, a Narnia Trail is also dedicated to the much-loved. During a short walk, you will see all the famous characters from the book, which adults and children will enjoy.

2. Cecelia Ahern

Perhaps the youngest on the list since she was born in 1981, I began with Ms. Ahern since she might be the closest to mind for contemporary readers and movie-goers. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Cecelia Ahern rose to fame after publishing her first novel in 2004, titled “P.S. I Love You.” Which was later adapted into a film starring Hilary   Swank and Gerard Butler.

The story captured the hearts and minds of many, and the movie helped bring Ireland’s lush scenery and landscapes to life even more. Even though the main story is in New York, the novel’s heroine takes several trips to  Ireland to visit her late husband’s homeland and find her peace of mind.

Shoot for the moon, even if you fail, you’ll land among the stars- Cecelia Ahern, P.S. I Love You

More Film Adaptations

Another of Ahern’s well-known novels, Where Rainbows End, was adapted into a film in 2014 titled “Love, Rosie.” Starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, it was a British-German production. In the same year, Ahern created two TV movies for a German TV station, bringing in more attention to Ireland from international viewers. The films Zwischen Himmel und Hier (Between Heaven and Here) and Mein ganzes halbes Leben (My Whole Half-Life) were filmed in Ireland and aired for millions of viewers on the ZDF network as part of its ‘Heart’ series.

Zoë Redmond, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Central Europe, said: “We know that film and television are recognised as strong influencers for prospective holidaymakers and Tourism. Ireland regularly works with TV and film production companies to facilitate the making of films and travel programmes around the island of Ireland. Films shot on location here, like the two Cecelia Ahern films, can be influential. Showcasing our stunning landscape and helping to whet appetites among German travellers to come and visit the beautiful locations where the film was shot.”

3. James Joyce

Born in 1882, Joyce was an Irish author, short story writer, and poet. He is regarded as one of the most influential and essential authors of the 20th century. As an Irish author, Joyce was deeply impacted by his surroundings and Irish upbringing. This is quite evident through the settings and subject matter of his novels.

One of his best pieces of work is thought to be the short story ‘The Dead’. This is found in his Dubliners short-story collection written in 1914. It has even been considered a ‘masterpiece of modern fiction’. Director John Huston then turned the story into a film years later, which was publicly praised.

To learn one must be humble. But life is the great teacher – James Joyce

The ‘Dubliners’ collections were his first-ever publication. These tell stories of middle-class Irish during the period of Home Rule.

The James Joyce Centre in Dublin showcases several temporary exhibitions, walking tours and lectures. As well as a permanent exhibition focusing on Joyce’s life and brilliant works. To this day, his work continues to influence artists worldwide.

4. Bram Stoker

Born in 1847 in Dublin, Ireland, little did Bram Stoker know that his writing would be one of the most famous literary works ever. Spawning numerous adaptations and spin-offs through the years and until this day. The Irish author is best known for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula.

It has been purported that Dracula is based on the story of Vlad the Impaler of Romania. Many critics argue that the inspiration for the deadly character came from the author’s homeland. And was perhaps enhanced by some of his own experiences.

For example, the idea of blood-sucking may have resulted from the common practice of bleeding patients. That was used in the 1840s in Ireland and was practised on Bram himself when he was sick as a child.

I want you to believe…to believe in the things you cannot – Bram Stoker, Dracula

Influences on His Writing

His mother was also another considerable influence on him as a child. She had lived through the Irish Famine. His mother used to regale him with morbid stories of skeletal people walking the countryside, practically living dead. It is also a known fact that Stoker’s original manuscript was titled “The Undead.”

Another likely Irish influence on Bram Stoker was the first vampire novel to be written by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu “Carmilla” (1871).

Dracula

Some critics also argue that the Irish legend of The Sidhe or fairy people inspired the story of Dracula. A supernatural race who lived in a parallel world. They walked amongst the living and drank the blood of humans and animals to survive.

As for the novel’s title, it is said to have been derived from the Irish word “dreach-fhoula.” (pronounced drac-ula) Which means tainted blood, a term used to refer to blood feuds.

To commemorate the author and novel that changed the literary world forever, Dublin hosts the Bram Stoker Festival by organising events, lectures and exhibitions to honour the Irish author. You can also walk by his former house on Kildare Street, Dublin.

The Dublin Writers Museum also contains the first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which is worth checking out.

5. W.B Yeats

William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1865, one of Ireland’s best poets and one of the greatest 20th-century poets. Much of his writing is inspired by his homeland of Ireland, especially Sligo.

At a young age, He began to take an interest in poetry and Irish mythology and legends. He spent many holidays in Sligo with his family, and the beautiful landscape of Sligo and other areas of western Ireland inspired his writings.

I should never go for the scenery of a poem to any country but my own, and I think that I shall hold to that conviction to the end. – W. B Yeats

During his childhood holidays in Ballisodare, Sligo, Yeast was first exposed to country stories and Irish Mythology. His Poem Down by the Sally Gardens was inspired after he heard a woman singing a folk song. Yeats called Sligo “The Land of Heart’s Desire’ and it was the beautiful mountains, lakes and character of the place that helped write some of his most excellent work.

Coole Park, a nature reserve in Galway’s, was another place Yeats enjoyed wandering through with other writers. It has also become the setting for some of his poems, including ‘The Wild Swans at Coole’. It makes you want to go and explore these Irish landscapes and appreciate them as much as he did.

6. Frank McCourt

Born in New York City on 19 August 1930 to Irish parents, Malachy Mccourt and Angela Sheeran.

During the great depression, Frank and his family moved back to Ireland, returning to their mother’s native home of Limerick. At the age of 19, he headed back to America and even served in the army. He talked himself into getting a place at New York University by proclaiming that he was brilliant and read a lot.  Frank graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in English. He then went on to teach in various schools in New York.

One of McCourt’s best-selling books is his memoir ‘Angelas Ashes’, which he wrote in 1996. The book has won various awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1997 and The National Books Critics Circle Award in 1996. In the book, Frank details his childhood from early in New York to life in Limerick. A couple of years after the release of the book, it was turned into a movie

In Limerick today there is the Frank McCourt Museum which was opened by his Brother Malachy McCourt in 2011 at Leamy House. The building was once the school that McCourt attended as a child. Those interested in his work and life and the beauty that Limerick has to offer need to visit.

You might be poor, your shoes might be broken but your mind is a Palace -Frank McCourt

7. Maeve Binchy

 It seems like a common theme that great Irish authors come from Dublin, as many of the people we have mentioned on this list grew up there. Dublin’s much-loved best-seller Maeve Binchy was born in 1939 and became a novelist, playwriter and columnist, among other things. Altogether Binchy published 16 brilliant novels, along with four short story collections, a play and a novella.

In 1983, her Debut novel “Light a Penny Candle” sold for the most significant sum ever to be paid for a novel: £52,000 pounds.

Everyone is a hero in their own stories if you just look – Maeve Binchy

Most of Binchy’s writing is set in Ireland offering readers a contrast between urban and rural life. They also provide an insight into the dynamic changes in Ireland from World War II to the present day. Binchy’s work gives you a glimpse into the good nature of the Irish people, the small towns and the impressive landscape.

The beautiful Dublin seaside landscape is thought to have inspired many of her best works such as ‘Circle of Friends’ which was turned into a film with two of her other books.

Throughout her career as an Irish author, Maeve racked up various awards, including the British Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1999. Her book Scarlet Feather won the WH Smith Book Award for Fiction. Other awards include the Irish PEN Award in 2007 and in 2010 a second-lifetime achievement award from the Irish Book Awards.

 8. Seamus Heaney

We must mention the brilliant poet and playwright Seamus Heaney to end this list of incredible Irish authors.  Born in 1939 in County Antrim in Northern Ireland, Heaney has received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

Heaney went to Belfast to study at Queens University, where he took up English language and Literature. His inspiration to start writing poetry was during his time in Belfast when he read Ted Hughes Lupercal saying that “suddenly the matter of contemporary poetry was the material of my own life”. After graduating from Queens in 1961 with First Class Honours, he went on to do the teaching.

He began publishing poetry in 1962 along with his mentor Micheal McLaverty, a writer. Heaney’s first significant volume of poetry was published by Faber and Faber in 1966, called Death of a Naturalist. It received critical acclaim, and he received several awards for this work. That was the beginning of his success as a poet, and in 1995, he obtained a Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. He has become one of the most loved poets in Ireland and worldwide.

Between my finger and my thumb the squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it. – Seamus Heaney

Finding Inspiration

His years spent in Derry are thought to have played a massive role in his award-winning writings. Much of his poetry was about finding something special in ordinary everyday life and offering up the beauty of Ireland. The simplicity and beauty of his work helped him to earn millions of fans around the world.

Take a trip to Belfast to visit the Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queens University, where his legacy still lives on. A visitor centre in County Derry ‘Seamus Heaney Homeplace‘ also celebrates his life and legacy.

Honorable Mentions of Memorable Irish Authors

Irish history features more than just historical events; it also boasts some of the best literary figures known to man. Who helped shape the literary scene for generations to come. Whether classical or contemporary, these authors made Ireland a touristic hub for literature lovers and avid readers from across the globe.

If you’re ever in Ireland, follow in the footsteps of your favourite Irish author. Whether at the places they stayed, the coffee shops they liked to frequent or the locations they drew inspiration from. It will be a trip you will never forget.

Also, don’t forget to check out related blogs that might interest you: All About C.S Lewis| Famous Irish People Who Made History in their Lifetime| The Famous Danny Boy Song| The Book of Kells| Waterford Ireland’s Oldest City| Good Vibrations in Belfast: A Guide to Belfast for Movie Fans| 100 Best Irish Historical Fiction to Consider Reading|