Dictionary of biography

A list of famous Irish people from St Patrick to modern Irish leaders and writers.

St Patrick (387 – c.460) The patron saint of Ireland. He was taken to Ireland from Wales as a slave, but escaped and became a noted Christian missionary.

Later tales attributed miraculous powers to St Patrick. He is recognised as the first Primate of All Ireland.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Anglo-Irish writer, born in Dublin.

Oxford dictionary of national biography

Swift was a prominent satirist, essayist and author. Notable works include Gulliver’s Travels, A Modest Proposal and A Tale of a Tub. He was also Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.

Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891)
Irish landlord and leader of the Irish Nationalists.

Parnell was influential in founding the Irish Nationalists and campaigning for Home Rule for Ireland. He leadership made Irish Home Rule one of the dominant political issues of the late 19th and early 20th Century.

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) – Irish writer and poet.

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