“And, if there is healing,
It is in the depth of a silence,
Whose plumbed depths require
A journey through realms of pain
That must be faced alone.
The hero, setting out,
Will meet an ally at a crucial moment.
But the journey home
Is mostly alone.”
Michael D. Ó hUigínn (Higgins) (1941 – present) – poet and Irish president
Cover art is ‘A Banquet of Druids’ by an unknown artist, public domain
I have compiled a short list of known Filí or poets, mostly from the Annals of the Four Masters. Naturally, for some there is a moderate amount of information available while for most, we have one or two lines simply describing them as a poet and how or when they died. I have left out individuals that were distinctly priests in addition to poets. For my purposes here, I’ve only included those that were mostly singularly fulfilling the poet’s function regardless of whether they were Christian or not, which often remains unknown. Although, it is generally thought that most of the traditional poets and bards worked for secular patrons statistically more often, alluding that they were possibly more often secular themselves. This is certainly not an exhaustive list. Additionally, you can search ‘poet’ in the Irish Folk Duchas for over 1,700 search results… and sense into the ways this traditional role and folklore or stories surrounding the role continued into the present. There are additionally countless poets, bards and storytellers across the entirety of the isles, especially Wales of which go beyond my personal focal point of interest in Ireland but are honored and respected equally.
Amergin Glúingel – (1st century or earlier) – poet and judge – Judge for the Milesians in the Irish Mythological Cycle.
Adna mac Uthidir (1st century) – Chief Ollamh – Fragments of laws attributed to Adna are to be found in the library of Trinity College and the Immacallam in dá Thuarad, The Colloquy of the Two Sages tells of his death.
Torna Éices (5th century) – poet – He was the foster-father of the Irish kings Corc and Niall of the Nine Hostages, he wrote the Lament for Corc and Niall of the Nine Hostages. In the tale Suidigud Tellaig na Cruachna, The Settling of the Manor of Crúachan, he is the author of a poem on famous men and women who were buried in the cemetery of Crúachan.
Dubhthach moccu Lughair (5th century) – Chief Ollamh – Ollamh of Lóegaire mac Néill, famous high-king of Ireland known for his interactions with St. Patrick. Helped write the Senchus Mor and has poems ascribed to him in the Lebor Laignech, Book of Leinster and the Lebor na Cert, Book of Rights.
Líadan – (7th century) – poet (woman) – Wrote the tragic love story, Liadain and Cuirithir.
Cenn-Fáelad (7th century) – poet – Known for writing the last part of Auraicept na nÉces, The Scholars’ Primer as well as revising the whole text; a collection of legal aphorisms known as Dúil Roscadach. These were of course a tract on status grades in Irish society and fragments of Old Irish historical poems.
Dallán Forgaill (7th century) Chief Ollamh and saint – Wrote the Amhra Coluim Cille, Elegy of Saint Columba and formed many numerous churches.
Fland Fína (7th century) – poet – Wrote Fland Fína Sang and likely responsible for The Wise Sayings of Flann Fína.
Loban (7th century) – poet (Scottish) – Mentioned in the Bethada Náem Nérenn, Lives of Irish Saints. He was a druid of ‘Alba’ visiting ‘Erin’ that had his eyes magically removed by the saintly powers of St. Ruadan and placed into the head of King Eochaid.
Rathonn Diarmait (7th century) – poet – Mentioned in the Bethada Náem Nérenn, Lives of Irish Saints. Diarmait was said to be a good man, and head poet and chief master of druidism to Aedhson of Eochaid Tirmcarna, king of Connaught. The king had given land to Diarmait in payment for a panegyric which he had composed for him. Saint Berach was bequeathed to him by St. Patrick. They traveled to 4 druids in Alba to decide their legal quandary. Ultimately, it was decided that Berach would keep the land. Diarmait was killed a year later in a stag hunting accident when he was speared in the throat.
Senchán Torpéist (7th century) – Chief Ollamh – Some of his work has been preserved in the Book of Lecan and legend has him contributing to the writing of the Táin Bó Cúailnge.
Máel Muire Othain (9th century) – Chief Ollamh – Wrote various parts of Lebor Gabála Érenn, The Book of Invasions.
Gormlaith ingen Flann mac Conaing (9th century) poet and queen (woman)
Flann mac Lonáin (9th century) – Chief Ollamh – Flann is mentioned in the oldest surviving personal letter from Ireland, which dates to the 12th century and was addressed to Áed Ua Crimthainn, compiler of the Book of Leinster, by Find, Bishop of Kildare, who wrote: “Let the poem book of Mac Lonáin be brought to me so that we may study the meanings of the poems that are in it, et vale in Christo.” Murdered.
Flann (10th century) – poet – The only poem ascribed to Flann with certainty, Eol dam i ndairib dréchta, describes the valorous exploits of Leinstermen against other provinces.
Torpaid mac Taicthech (10th century) – Chief Ollamh
Óengus mac Óengusa (10th century) – Chief Ollamh
Bard Boinne (10th century) – Chief Ollamh – Murdered.
Uallach ingen Muinecháin (10th century) – Chief Ollamh (woman) – One of the only known female Chief Ollamhs.
Cormacan Eigeas (10th century) – Chief Ollamh
Cinaedh Ua hArtagain (10th century) – Chief Ollamh – Wrote parts of the Dinsenchas, Lore of Places pertaining to the Kingdom of Brega.
Eochaidh Ua Floinn (10th century) – Chief Ollamh – Some of his work has been preserved in the Leabhar Mór Leacain, Book of Lecan and the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Book of Invasions.
Urard Mac Coise (10th century) – Chief Ollamh -Author of poems on the kings of Connacht, among others.
Clothna mac Aenghusa (11th century) – Chief Ollamh – Chief poet and personal companion of King Brian Boru. He is purported as the source of the history of Brian Boru called Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib, The War of the Irish with the Foreigners.
Muircheartach mac Cu Ceartach Mac Liag (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Muirchertach Mac Liacc (11th century) – Chief Ollamh – Known for writing Brian Boru’s literary biography, along with poetic works on various aspects of his background and career.
Cúán úa Lothcháin (11th century) – Chief Ollamh – Chief poet and personal companion of King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill. Murdered.
Cú Mara mac Mac Liac (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Mac Beathaidh mac Ainmire (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Ceaunfaeladh ua Cuill (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Flaithem Mac Mael Gaimrid (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Cellach húa Rúanada (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Mael Isa ua Máilgiric (11th century) – Chief Ollamh
Fland Manistrech (11th century) – poet – A number of Flann’s poems appear in the Lebor Gabála Érenn. He also wrote a famous satire poem called, Fland Manistrech Sang. He also wrote Ríg Themra dia tesbann tnú and Ríg Themrea toebaige íar ttain, which together comprise an Uí Néill-orientated history of the kingship of Tara among quite a few other works.
Aonghus Ó Dálaigh (12th century) – poet
Máel Íosa Ua Dálaigh (12th century) – Chief Ollamh, uniquely described as of both ‘Ireland and Scotland’
Ragnall Ua Dálaigh (12th century) – poet
Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh (12th century) – poet
Cú Collchaille Ua Baígilláin (12th century) – Chief Ollamh – Murdered along with his whole family.
Cú Connacht Ua Dálaigh (12th century) – Chief Ollamh
Gilla na Trínóite Ua Dálaigh (12th century) – poet – Murdered.
Gilla-Mo-Dutu Ua Casaide (12th century) – poet – Known for composing the metrical Banshenchas, Lore of Women, a summary of the famous women of Ireland and the dynasties into which they married covering the period from early historic times up to 1147.
Gilla-na-Náem Ua Duinn (12th century) – poet – Known for composing part of the Leabhar Bhaile an Mhóta, Book of Ballymote and the Lebor Laignech, Book of Leinster. He is described in the Tigernach Ua Bráein, Annals of Tigernach as ‘Ireland’s chief author for history and poetry, and the unique doctor of the Gael’.
Gilla in Chomded húa Cormaic (12th century) – poet – Known for composing the poem A Rí richid, réidig dam and Aimirgin Glúngel tuir tend.
Gillamaire Ua Conallta (12th century) – Chief Ollamh
Tadhg Ua Dálaigh (12th century) – Chief Ollamh
Máel Íosa Ua Dálaigh (12th century) – Chief Ollamh
Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe (13th century) – poet
Gillebríghde Albanach (13th century) – poet (Scottish) – Wrote panegyrics for Irish Kings Donnchadh Cairbreach Ó Briain and Croibhdhearg Ó Conchubhair.
Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh (13th century) – poet – Donnchadh Mór is known to have written about 30 poems. They are listed in The History of the O’Dalys by Edmund Emmet O’Daly, published in 1937. The Annals of the Four Masters describes him as “A poet who never was and never will be surpassed.”
Muireadhach Albanach Ó Dálaigh (13th century) – poet – He killed his king’s tax-collector Fionn Ó Brolacháin for being insolent with an axe. He went into hiding after that and eventually escaped to Scotland. Some of his work is preserved in The Leabhar Deathan Lios Mòir, The Book of the Dean of Lismore.
Giolla Ernain Ó Martain (13th century) – Chief Ollamh
Gerald Maurice FitzGerald ‘Gearóid Iarla’ (14th century) – poet and Justiciar of Ireland – Legend claims that he vanished in mysterious circumstances, and that he sleeps at the bottom of Lough Gur, his ghost appearing above the lake every seven years.
Aonghus Ruadh Ó Dálaigh (14th century) – poet
Tadc Ó hUiginn (14th century) – poet
Doighre Ó hUiginn (14th century) – poet – Wrote the family genealogy, The Book of Magauran.
Sighraidh Ó Cuirrnín (14th century) – poet
Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (14th century) – poet
Gilla na Neamh Ó hUiginn (14th century) – poet
Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh (14th century) – Chief Ollamh
Aonghus Ruadh Ó Dálaigh (14th century) – poet
Seán Buí Mac Bruideadha (14th century) – poet
Maol Sheachluinn na n-Uirsgéal Ó hUiginn (14th century) – poet
Seoán Mór Ó Dubhagáin (14th century) – poet and historian – Wrote the ‘Triallam timcheall na Fódlam,’ ‘Let us journey around Ireland,’ a long topographical poem relating to the nobility of Ulster, Connacht, and Mide, and the places associated with them.
Ádhamh Ó Cianáin (14th century) – poet and historian – Student of Seoán Mór Ó Dubhagáin that helped further propagate his work after his passing.
Teige Mac Con Midhe (15th century) – poet
Niall mac Aed Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet – He participated in a significant satire that caused death or so says the Annals of the Four Masters… “John Stanley, the Deputy of the King of England, arrived in Ireland, a man who gave neither mercy nor protection to clergy, laity, or men of science, but subjected as many of them as he came upon to cold, hardship, and famine. It was he who plundered Niall, the son of Hugh O’Higgin, at Uisneach, in Meath. Henry Dalton, however, plundered James Tuite and the King’s people, and gave the O’Higgins out of the preys then acquired a cow for each and every cow taken from them, and afterwards escorted them to Connaught. The O’Higgins, with Niall, then satirized John Stanley, who lived after this satire but five weeks, for he died of the virulence of the lampoons. This was the second poetical miracle performed by this Niall O’Higgin, the first being the discomfiture of the Clann-Conway the night they plundered Niall at Cladann; and the second, the death of John Stanley.”
Tadhg Óg Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet – The Annals of the Four Masters state that he kept a school for training in Irish bardic poetry.
Lachlann Mór MacMhuirich (15th century) – poet (Scottish)
Maelmuire son of Tadc Oc O hUiginn (15th century) – poet
Philip Bocht Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet
Pilib Bocht Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet
Fercert Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet
Lochlainn Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet
Cormac mhac Taidhg Bhallaigh Ó Dálaigh (15th century) – poet
Fearghal Ó Dálaigh (15th century) – poet
Brian Ó hUiginn (15th century) – poet
Cearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó Dálaigh (15th century) – Chief Ollamh
Sean mac Fergail Óicc Ó hUiginn (15h century) – Chief Ollamh
Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fir Bhisigh (15th century) – poet and historian – Main compiler of the Leabhar Buidhe Leacáin, Yellow Book of Lecan and the Leabhar Mór Leacain, Great Book of Lecan.
An Clasach Ó Cobhthaigh (15th century) – poet
Murchadh Bacagh Ó Cobhthaigh (15th century) – poet
Aedh Ó Cobhthaigh (15th century) – poet
Robert Henryson (15th century) – poet (Scottish)
Diarmait Ó Cobhthaigh (16th century) – poet
Tadhg Ó Cobhthaigh (16th century) – poet – A poem Cia re ccuirfinn sed suirghe in praise of Manus mac Aodh Dubh Ó Domhnaill is ascribed to Tadhg. It consists of twenty stanzas, which won him the gift of a mare for each stanza from his patron.
Niall Mór MacMhuirich (16th century) – poet (Scottish)
Giolla Brighde Ó hEódhasa (16th century) – poet
Donnchadh Ó Cobhthaigh (16th century) – poet
Uaithne Ó Cobhthaigh (16th century) – poet
Brian Óge Ó hUiginn (16th century) – poet
Gilla-Coluim Ó hUiginn (16th century) – poet
Tadhg Dall Ó hUiginn (16th century) – poet – Murdered along with his wife and child. The Book of O’Conor Don has twenty-four poems ascribed to him as well as the Ó Gadhra manuscript which includes fifteen of his works.
Maoilsheachlainn Óg Ó Dálaigh (16th century) – poet
Aonghus Fionn Ó Dálaigh (16th century) – poet
Cairbre mac Brian Ó hUiginn (16th century) – poet
Paidin Ó Maol Chonaire (16th century) – Chief Ollamh
Seán mac Torna Ó Maol Chonaire (16th century) – Chief Ollamh
Diarmuid Mac Bruideadha (16th century) – poet
Brian Mac Con Midhe (16th century) – poet
Domhnall Ruadh Mac an Bhaird (16th century) – poet
Fearghal Óg Mac an Bhaird (16th century) – poet
Eoghan Ruadh Mac an Bhaird (16th century) – poet – murdered
Eochaidh Ó hEódhusa (16th century) – poet
Donal Mac Bruaideadha (16th century) – poet
Aodh Ó Domhnaill – (16th century) – poet
Maoilín Óg Mac Bruaideadha (16th century) – poet – An incident with Maoilín affirmed the continued high status of poets when Mac Bruaideadha’s cattle were stolen by Ulstermen. He appeared before King Ó Domhnaill and demanded the return of his property, and then composed a quatrain justifying the northern earl’s conduct when his request was granted.
Tadhg mac Dáire Mac Bruaideadha (16th century) – poet – Known to have accompanied Donough O’Brien 4th Earl of Thomond in 1577 on a visit to the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
Tadhg Dall Ó hUiginn (16th century) – poet
Eoghan Ruadh Mac an Bhaird (16th century) poet – Fled Ireland with his patron 1st earl of Tyrconnell, Ruaidhrí Ó Domhnall during the Flight of the Earls.
Aonghus Ruadh na nAor Ó Dálaigh (16th century) – poet – Known as ‘Aenghus of the satires’ or ‘the Red poet’. He was employed by Sir George Carew and Lord Mountjoy Charles Blount who both served Queen Elizabeth I to satire the Irish chieftains and instigate hostility between them. The reaction to his satire entitled The Tribes of Ireland led to his swift assassination. Murdered by ‘a servant of trust of Muintir-Mheachair stood up, and said, that the Red Bard should never satirize any Meagher . . . with that he made a fierce thrust of the sharp knife . . . in the neck of Aonghus, so that he began to throw up his heart’s blood on the spot’
Tadhg mac Dáire Mac Bruaideadha (16th century) – poet and historian – Provided the O’Briens of Thomond with Ollamhain le seanchas (official chroniclers) in the sixteenth century.
Tadhg Ó Cianáin (16th century) – poet and historian – Wrote a number of manuscripts in Irish of historical, grammatical, astronomical and legal texts which still survive. Fled Ireland with his patron Hugh O’Neill during the Flight of the Earls.
Flight of the Earls – 1607 – This event caused a historically significant shift in the Irish cultural landscape. Many scholars feel that anything after this was stepping into a time period where the old Gaelic way of life had ended and with it, so did the role of the poets as most families were no longer able to afford poets. Without work available, formal training and bardic schools naturally ended on a larger scale as well. This is arguably the period of time when the classic idea of druids and poets slowly becomes enmeshed into a more modern version. Anyone listed going forward is listed to honor people that emulated the old poets in the ways that they were still capable. However, it’s also important to establish that the culture didn’t end and the role did not end, but was instead subsumed.
Éamonn Ó Caiside (17th century) – poet
Pádraig Ó Coirnín (17th century) – poet
Pádraig Óg Mac an Bhaird (17th century) – poet
Lochlann Óg Ó Dálaigh (17th century) – poet
Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh (17th century) – poet and harper
Muiris Ó Maolchonaire (17th century) – poet – Known for being a contributor to the Annals of the Four Masters.
Cormac Mac Con Midhe (17th century) – poet
Mícheál Ó Cléirigh (17th century) – poet and historian
Lughaidh Ó Cléirigh (17th century) – poet and historian
Maoldomhnaigh Ó Muirgheasáin (17th century) – poet (Scottish)
Caitilín Dubh (17th century) – poet (woman) – Five of her elegies, in caoineadh, or lamenting and keening form, are located in the Duanaire Uí Bhriain, the O’Brien family poem-book.
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh (1600 – 1671) – historian and genealogist – Responsible for writing the Leabhar na nGenealach, Book of Genealogies. He was a scribe, translator, historian and genealogist. He was responsible for writing the Leabhar na nGenealach, Book of Genealogies which is a massive genealogical collection of Ireland’s most prominent families as well as the history of Ireland itself and various invaders. It was mainly written in the years 1649 to 1650. This work was not sponsored by any wealthy family of note, leading many scholars to believe that he completed this lengthy and detailed book as purely a labour of love.
Tadhg Ó Rodaighe (1614 – 1706) – poet
Séafraidh Ó Donnchadha an Ghleanna (1620 – 1678) – poet and chief of the O’Donoghues – Held onto his estate in Glenflesk throughout the Cromwellian period which was a rarity. His house was a place of importance for men of learning during his reign. The Scottish poet Maoldomhnaigh Ó Muirgheasáin visited his estate in the 1640’s, one of the last visits of a Scottish traditional bard that came to tour Ireland for learning purposes.
Dáibhidh Ó Bruadair (1625 – 1698) – poet – Known for his prolific writing by the fact that at least 80 of his poems are still preserved in various Irish manuscripts. His poetry contains an invaluable and naturally bitter personal response to the tumultuous political events of the period: the Cromwellian conquest, the restoration of Charles II and the defeats of the Irish Jacobite army at the Boyne, Aughrim, and finally Limerick.
Diarmaid mac Sheáin Bhuí Mac Cárthaigh (1640 – 1705) – poet – Known for his laments.
Terence MacDonagh (1640 – 1713) – poet and lawyer
Seán Ó Neachtain (1640 – 1729) – poet and teacher
Séamas ‘Dall’ Mac Cuarta (1650 – 1732) – poet
Eoghan Ó Caoimh (1656 – 1726) – poet – Known for his laments.
Padraig Mac Giolla Fhiondáin (1665 – 1733) – poet and harper
Éamonn De Bhál (1667 – 1763) – poet and teacher – Known for his laments. Known to have participated in the Blarney court of poetry – a series of famous gatherings where poets from the east Cork region met to hear and discuss each other’s compositions as well as learn from one another.
Liam Mac Cairteáin (1668 – 1724) – poet – Wrote the Jacobite song, A chlanna Gael, fáiscidh bhur lámha le chéile, which he is said to have composed on his way to the battle of the Boyne.
Aindrias Mac Cruitín (1670 – 1738) – poet – More than forty poems by Mac Cruitín have survived, a large proportion of which praise the societal upper echelon in Clare and neighbouring counties. His most well known work is a poem beginning ‘Beannú doimhin duit, a Dhoinn na Duimhche’ where the elderly poet sought hospitality from Donn, a fairy king said to inhabit a range of sandhills near Doonbeg. It was a time when the patronage he had previously been given by members of the higher class was no longer available.
Cathaoir Mac Cába (1670 – 1740) – poet and harper – Known to be the lifetime companion of Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin, the more famous blind harper.
Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin (1670 – 1738) – poet and blind harper – One of the last classically trained musical composers of Ireland. Carolan’s own compositions show influences of the style of continental classical music, whereas others such as Farewell to Music reflect a much older traditionally ‘Irish’ style. For almost fifty years, Carolan journeyed throughout the country, composing and performing his tunes. His music became a well known treasure trove of melodies across the island and was immortalized by countless other musicians that played his songs in his stead which continues into the present.
Tadhg Ó Neachtain (1670 – 1752) – poet
Aogán Ó Rathaille (1670 – 1726) – poet – He is credited with creating the first fully developed Aisling, a ‘dream vision’ poem that features Otherworldly phenomenon, usually women. It was and is often sung using the aid of Sean-nós singing, that is, what voice and sound feels right to be expressed from the soul.
Liam Rua Mac Coitir (1675 – 1738) – poet – Known to have participated in the Blarney court of poetry – a series of famous gatherings where poets from the east Cork region met to hear and discuss each other’s compositions as well as learn from one another.
Seán Ó Conaill (1675 – 1725) – poet – Wrote Tuireamh na hÉireann, a very long poem of 496 lines giving an account of the history of Ireland from the great flood to the coming of Oliver Cromwell. He bitterly lamented the banishment of certain leaders and described the state of the country after the Cromwellian conquest in apocalyptic terms: ‘…an cogadh do chríochnaigh Éire.’ ‘...the war that finished Ireland.’
Aodh ‘Buí’ Mac Cruitín (1680 – 1755) – poet
Cathal ‘Buí’ Mac Giolla Ghunna (1680 – 1756) – poet
Micheál Coimín (1680 – 1760) – poet and prose tales writer
Thomas Sheridan (1687 – 1738) – poet and teacher
Seon Ó hUaithnín (1688 – ) – poet – His poems reflect the loyalty to the Stuart cause, and a contempt for the new ascendancy and for those catholic priests who took the oath of abjuration in 1709 against Stuart’s claim.
Fiachra Mac Brádaigh (1690 – 1760) – poet and teacher
Eoghan ‘an Mhéirín’ Mac Cárthaigh – (1690 – 1756) – poet – Known to have participated in the Blarney court of poetry – a series of famous gatherings where poets from the east Cork region met to hear and discuss each other’s compositions as well as learn from one another. He is also known to have written satires criticizing his local parish priests for being ill-tempered, taking the place of the gentry and another priest for being greedy and causing hardships for his parishioners.
Seán ‘Clárach’ Mac Domhnaill (1691 – 1754) – poet
Mícheál mac Peattair Ó Longáin (1693 – 1770) – poet
Donnchadh Ó hAmhsaigh (1695 – 1807) – harper
Peadar Ó Doirnín, Peadar (1700–69) – poet and teacher – Known for being taught in hedge schools and became a hedge school teacher, mostly in Louth and Armagh.
Seán na Ráithíneach Ó Murchadha (1700 – 1762) – poet and uileann pipe player – Known for being an important scribe and collector of manuscripts. At least sixteen of his manuscripts from the period 1719 – 62 are extant.
Muiris Ó Gormáin (1700/20 – 1794) – poet and teacher
Pádraig Ó Pronntaigh ( – 1760) – poet
Máire Ní Dhonnchadha Dhuibh ( – 1795) – poet (woman) – Mother of poet Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill.
Matthew Concanen (1701 – 1749) – poet
Seán ‘an Ghrinn’ Ó Tuama (1707/8 – 1775) – poet – Known for owning an inn where poets met in a literary circle known as the ‘Maigue poets.’
Piaras Mac Gearailt (1709 – 1792) – poet – Known for his Jacobite asilings.
Éadbhard De Nógla (1710 – 1792) – poet
Aindrias Mac Craith (1710 – 1795) – poet – Wrote the traditional drinking song, Slán Le Máigh.
Tadhg ‘Gaelach’ Ó Súilleabháin (1715 – 1795) – poet
Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir (1724 – 1812) – poet (Scottish)
Arthur O’Neill (1726 – 1816) – blind harper
Hugh Ó hUigínn (1737 – 1791) – blind harper
Art Mac Cumhaigh (1738 – 1773) – poet
John Lloy (1740 – 1785) – poet
Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill (1743 – 1800) – poet (woman) – Wrote the traditional Irish lament, Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire.
Patrick Quin (1746 – 1812) – blind harper
Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin (1748 – 1784) – poet and teacher – Arguably the most popular poet in Ireland of the eighteenth century. Taught in secret hedge schools in the mountains of County Kerry. He had a controversial reputation.
Henrietta O’Neill (1757/8 – 1793) – poet
Antoine Ó Raifteirí (1779 – 1835) – poet – Wrote the song, Róisín Dubh.
Pádraig Dall Ó Beirn (1794 – 1863) – blind harper – The ‘last of the great Irish harpers’. He was the first traditional Irish harper to be photographed.
Frances Browne (1816 – 1879) – poet (woman)
Timothy Daniel Ó Súilleabháin (1827 – 1914) – poet and politician – Wrote the song God Save Ireland.
Katharine Tynan (1859 – 1931) – poet (woman)
William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939) – poet
Alice Letitia Milligan (1865 – 1953) – poet (woman)
George A.E. William Russell (1867 – 1935) – poet and painter
Risteard Ó Foghludha (1871 – 1957) – poet and teacher – Known for his prose articles. He had a particular interest in place names and is said to have collected 40,000 himself.
Pádraig Pearse (1879 – 1916) – poet and teacher – Wrote the song, Mise Éire.
Brian Ó hUigínn (1882 – 1963) – poet and politician – He was a leading figure in Irish Republicanism and a founding member of the Irish Volunteers in 1913, which organised work towards Irish independence. Wrote the song A Stór Mo Chroí, Treasure of My Heart.
Ben McBrady (died 1996) – poet – Known for his part in the documentary The Last Druid.