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ICONS / HERITAGE OF IRELAND  
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), born in Dublin.  A clergyman and satirist, Swift wrote his world-famous satire, Gulliver's Travels, in 1726 (anonymously, like all his works). Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), born in Dublin.  Wilde was celebrated for his wit and flamboyant manner, and he became a leading member of the ‘art for art's sake’ movement. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), born in Dublin.  Shaw was a successful playwright with a caustic wit whose work included Arms and the Man, and Pygmalion.  He received the Nobel Prize in Literature 1925. William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), born in Dublin.  A poet and playwright, Yeats was elected one of the first senators of the Irish Free State in 1922.  He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. James Joyce (1882-1941), born in Dublin.  Joyce lived for various periods in Dublin, Paris and Zürich.  His best-known book Ulysses was banned in the UK and USA until 1936. Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), born in Dublin.    From 1932, Beckett lived mostly in France and was, for a time, an associate of James Joyce.  Beckett received the Nobel Prize in Literature 1969.  Photo by Jane Bown. Francis Bacon (1909-1992), born in Dublin.  Bacon settled in England in 1928 and is widely regarded as one of Britain's most important post-war artists.
Jonathan Swift
1667-1745
Oscar Wilde
1854-1900
Bernard Shaw
1856-1950
W.B.Yeats
1865-1939
James Joyce
1882-1941
Samuel Beckett
1906-1989
Copyright
Jane Bown
Francis Bacon
1909-1992

Ireland:   A legacy of eminent writers
Seamus Heaney was born on 13 April 1939, in County Derry.  Photo from The Nobel Foundation Seamus Heaney
The Nobel Prize in Literature 1995

"... for works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past".
Source:   The Nobel Foundation.

Listen to Seamus Heaney talking about naming a collection of poems on BBC in 1998;  and reading his poems.
 
Important Institutions "Study for Portrait (Michel Leiris)" by Francis Bacon.

Francis Bacon at the Gemeentemuseum
in The Hague, The Netherlands in 2001.  >>
James Galway (video/T1/cable)  |  56k/ISDN

Photo of the Nobel Medal for Literature, from the web site of Yeats Society Sligo, Ireland.


John Field (1782-1837), born in Dublin.  Field wrote mainly for the piano and is credited with originating the nocturne.  His music influenced Chopin.  In 1804, Field settled in Russia as a music teacher.  Portrait:  at the British Museum.


About Ireland:
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Selected by Icons of Europe, the above Icons and institutions are eclectic examples of the diversity and heritage of this country.  The selection does not necessarily represent a balanced view of the rich culture of the country.  We welcome suggestions to enhance the selection.