List of Irish historians

A list of Irish historians is presented in this article, from the earliest times up to the present day, by historical periods and in alphabetically order for easier reference.

Many of the earlier historians would have been known in their time as: "Irish Men and Women of Learning". A number of those listed below were scholars in different fields: literature, mathematics, theology, biography, narratives, hagiography, grammar.

Legendary and pre-historic era

Fenius Farsaid

Early Medieval Era: 5th–12th centuries

Late Medieval Era: 12th–16th centuries

Diarmaid Ó Cúlacháin, died 1221
Adhamh O Cianain, died 1373
Gilla Isa Mor mac Donnchadh MacFhirbhisigh, fl. 1390-1418
Giolla na Naomh Mac Aodhagáin, fl. c. 1400
Lawrence Walsh, fl. 1588
Muireadach Albanach O Dalaigh, fl. c. 1220

Early Modern Era: 17th–19th centuries

Aonghus Ruadh na nAor O Dalaigh, died 1617
James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, 1581-1656
Thomas Carve, died 1672
Charles O Conor, 1710-1791
Cu Choigcriche O Cleirigh, c. 1662/1664
Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh, fl. 1627-1636
Daniel O'Daly, died 1662
Daibhidh O Duibhghennain, fl.1651-1696/1706
Nicholas French, died 1678
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, fl. 1643-1671
Edward Ledwich, 1738-1823
Eoin O Gnimh, fl. 1699
John Colgan, OFM, 1592-1657
Luke Wadding, OFM, 1588-1657
George Petrie, 1790-1866
James Hardiman, 1782-1855
John O'Donovan, 1806-1861
John O'Hart, 1824-1902
Sylvester O'Halloran, 1728-1807
Lughaidh O Cleirigh, fl. 1595-1630
Matthew O Conor, 1773-1844
Michael O'Clery, c. 1590-1643
Owen Connellan, 1800-1869
Peregrine O'Duignan, fl. 1627-1636
Rev. Charles O Conor, 1767-1828
Ruaidhri O Flaithbheartaigh, 1629-1716/1718
Seathrún Céitinn/Geoffrey Keating, died 1643
Sir James Ware, 1594-1666
Sir John Thomas Gilbert, 1829-1898
Sir William Petty, 1623-1687
Standish Hayes O'Grady, 1832-1915
Tadhg mac Daire Mac Bruaideadha, fl. 1616-1652
Tuileagna Ó Maoil Chonaire, fl. 1638-1673
Whitley Stokes, 1830-1909
William Lecky, 1838-1903

Modern historians

A well-reviewed survey of Irish historiography 1936–70 has been published.^[1]^[2] The list of contributors to The Princeton history of modern Ireland and The Oxford companion to Irish history are also relevant.^[3]^[4]

References

↑ Moody, T. W., ed. (1971). Irish Historiography 1936–70. Dublin: Irish Committee of Historical Sciences. ISBN 9780950209708. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
↑ Roberts, E. F. D. (September 1973). "Irish Historiography, 1936–70. Edited by T W Moody Pp viii, 155. Dublin Irish Committee of Historical Sciences. 1971 £1. - Medieval Ireland, c. 1170–1495 A Bibliography of Secondary Works. By P. W A. Asplin. Pp xv, 139. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy 1971. £1.50 (paperback £1)". Irish Historical Studies (review). 18 (72): 623–626. doi:10.1017/s0021121400032478.
↑ Bourke, Richard; McBride, Ian (2016). The Princeton history of modern Ireland. Princeton (N. J.): Princeton University Press. pp. ix–xi. ISBN 978-069115406-0. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
↑ Connolly, S.J., ed. (2007). The Oxford companion to Irish history (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. xv–xvii. ISBN 978-0-19-923483-7. Retrieved 28 February 2026.

[1] Moody, T. W., ed. (1971). Irish Historiography 1936–70. Dublin: Irish Committee of Historical Sciences. ISBN 9780950209708. Retrieved 28 February 2026.

[2] Roberts, E. F. D. (September 1973). "Irish Historiography, 1936–70. Edited by T W Moody Pp viii, 155. Dublin Irish Committee of Historical Sciences. 1971 £1. - Medieval Ireland, c. 1170–1495 A Bibliography of Secondary Works. By P. W A. Asplin. Pp xv, 139. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy 1971. £1.50 (paperback £1)". Irish Historical Studies (review). 18 (72): 623–626. doi:10.1017/s0021121400032478.

[3] Bourke, Richard; McBride, Ian (2016). The Princeton history of modern Ireland. Princeton (N. J.): Princeton University Press. pp. ix–xi. ISBN 978-069115406-0. Retrieved 28 February 2026.

[4] Connolly, S.J., ed. (2007). The Oxford companion to Irish history (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. xv–xvii. ISBN 978-0-19-923483-7. Retrieved 28 February 2026.

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