How Many Of These Influential Irish Figures Do You Know?

One week from today, many of us will take to the streets clad in green, ready to make a toast (or many) to the Emerald Isle in honor of Saint Paddy's Day. Whether you're Irish or not, chances are the place you live wouldn't look the same without them. Countries like America, Canada, England, and even South America were largely built by early Irish settlers, and many of the people who live there today have Irish blood. That's reason enough to dress in green and have a plate of fish and chips. But how much do you know about the country and its most prominent figures? Here are the 20 most important Irish People in history and what they did. 

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1. Saint Patrick

The best-known Irish figure and patron saint of Ireland wasn't really Irish but Welsh. Ireland became his home when he was enslaved there by pirates and became a Christian missionary. He's credited with driving out Paganism and spreading Christianity throughout the country. 

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2. James Joyce

James Joyce was one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He's best known for his modernist works, including Ulysses and Dubliners. 

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3. Éamon de Valera 

Éamon de Valera was one of the most important figures in the formation of the Irish Republic. He was a leader in the 1916 uprising, a rebellion against British rule, and also served as head of government for several terms. 

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4. Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was a poet, novelist, lecturer, and playwright whose best-known works include The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. An open homosexual, Wilde was imprisoned for his sexual orientation but posthumously became a champion and martyr for gay rights.  

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5. Robert Boyle

Robert Boyle is largely recognized as the "father of modern chemistry." He was one of the first scientists to use the scientific method in chemistry, moving it away from alchemy. He also created an empirical law called Boyle's Law, used to describe the relationship between the pressure and volume of a confined gas.  

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6. Ernest Walton

Ernest Walton was the first physicist to split an atom using a particle accelerator, paving the way for nuclear energy. He became Irelands first and only science Nobel laureate when he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1951. 

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7. Francis Crozier

Francis Crozier was an Irish naval officer and Arctic explorer who played a key role in six polar expeditions. He was second-in-command on the Franklin Expedition to discover the Northwest Passage, which ended when both ships became icebound and all 129 crewmembers died in mysterious circumstances. 

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8. Ernest Shackleton

Ernest Shackleton was one of Ireland's most notable explorers who made four Antarctic expeditions throughout his life. His most famous journey, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition saw he and his crew getting stranded after his ship got trapped in ice. Miraculously, they survived, and his detailed accounts solidify his explorations in time. 

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9. Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson was the first female president of Ireland, serving from 1990 to 1997. She advocated for human rights, climate justice, women's rights, and social change and is largely seen as one of the most influential Irish politicians in modern history. 

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10. Michael Collins

A key player in the struggle for Ireland's independence from Britain, Michael Collins was the director of intelligence for the IRA. He also helped negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which led to the creation of the Republic of Ireland. Despite being assassinated at the age of 31, he remains a national hero.  

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11. Sir Robert McClure

An accomplished naval officer and Arctic explorer, Sir Robert McClure was the first to navigate the Northwest Passage by sea, which helped open new trade routes. During his expedition, McClure and his men became stranded on the ice for several years but, amazingly, managed to survive until being rescued. 

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12. Constance Markievicz

Constance Markievicz was an Ango-Irish revolutionary and feminist who served as second-in-command of the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 rebellion and also fought in the Irish Civil War. She was the first woman elected to the British parliament, though she refused to take her seat. 

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13. George Bernard Shaw

Regarded as one of the most important figures in English literature, George Bernard Shaw was a playwright, critic, and activist. He's best known for his works Pygmalion and Major Barbara. He was a socialist, and his writings often criticized class, society, and the role of government.

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14. James Connolly

As leader of the Irish Citizen Army, James Connolly played a key role in the Irish independence movement and the fight for workers' rights. He was commander of the rebel forces in Dublin during the 1916 rebellion when he was captured and executed, but his legacy as a national hero lives on.

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15. W. B. Yeats

W. B. Yeats was one of the most celebrated Irish writers of the 20th century and a forerunner behind the Irish Literary Revival, a nationalist movement that highlighted Irish culture and talent. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and also served two terms as a senator of the Irish Free State.

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16. Arthur Wellesley

Arthur Wellesley was an Anglo-Irish military leader who served two terms as Prime Minister of the UK. He famously defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo. 

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17. Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker was one of the most popular Irish authors of the late 19th century. Best known for his Gothic novel, Dracula, he's credited with shaping the modern horror genre. 

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18. C.S. Lewis

One of the best known names in the fantasy genre, C.S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. He was also an essayist and scholar who wrote several books on Christian theology and had a significant influence on Christian thought. 

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19. Daniel O'Connell

Nicknamed "The Liberator," Daniel O'Connell played a key role in securing Catholics' rights in Ireland. He was also a nationalist who made major strides towards earning full Irish independence, though his goal wasn't realized in his lifetime. He also advocated for non-violent resistance against the British. 

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20. Bono

Perhaps the name on everyone's tongue when they think of an influential Irish person is Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2. In addition to his role in the band's massive global success, he's also well-known for his activism, focusing on issues like AIDS awareness and poverty in Africa. 

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