Irish Literature and Heritage

In this humorous satirical essay, Swift makes a ridiculous suggestion: that the nation of Ireland eat children in order to solve the poverty problem.

A young boy's obsession with the girl next door leads him on a journey that ends in a harsh realization.

In this humorous poem, Swift exposes the shortcomings of city life, particularly the lack of adequate plumbing, which becomes a problem for everyone when it rains.

Yeats reveals his torn emotions about the Easter Rising, an armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.

Swift uses humor to show that even decorated generals cannot fight off death.

Yeats describes an apocalyptic post-WWI era.

Lord Arthur Savile receives an ill fortune and then struggles to fulfill this destiny so he may marry.

A generous man's kindness toward a beggar yields more than expected.

Labor union leader Terence Powderly makes a reasoned argument in favor of reducing the work day for laborers.

In the early 1900s, an Irish immigrant cook was accused of infecting dozens of her clients with typhoid fever - although she herself had no symptoms - and quarantined against her will until her death.

A knight and a princess fall in love, but at the cost of betraying their king.

A selfish giant learns a powerful lesson about friendship and kindness.

A young boy feels out of place at his school.

A speaker describes their grandfather’s car.

A talented harpist is invited to play for the king of leprechauns.

In this poem, a speaker asks someone to reflect on their life and on lost love in their old age.

Granuaile was a well-known female leader and pirate during the 16th century in Ireland.