Jane Francesca Elgee (Lady Wilde) (c.1821–96)

Jane Elgee was a poet and translator closely associated with the Nation newspaper, which published her first poem in 1846 under the pen name ‘Speranza’. She and her husband, Sir William Wilde, were an important part of Dublin's social scene and her salons were memorable literary events. As well as her nationalist leanings, Lady Wilde developed an increasing interest in feminist principles. Poems by Speranza was published in Dublin in 1864

Mary Eva Kelly (1825–1910)

Born in Co. Galway into a family with unionist beliefs. She was educated at home by governesses and from a young age began translating poetry and writing original verse with a nationalist emphasis. She wrote both poetry and prose pieces for the Nation under the pen-names ‘Eva’ and ‘Fionnuala’. Poems, by ‘Eva’ of The Nation was published in Dublin in 1909.

Ellen Mary Downing (1828–69)

Ellen Downing started composing poetry, orally, as a child. Her first published poem appeared in the Nation when she was seventeen years old and she continued to be associated with the newspaper. After 1848 her work became more radical and she published instead in the United Irishman. Around this time her health broke down and she committed herself to a religious life, though recurring bouts of illness made it impossible for her to become a full member of the religious community. Her poetry is included in Voices of the Heart (Dublin, 1868).

Ellen O'Leary (1831–89)

The sister of John O'Leary—the patriot lauded in Yeats's ‘September 1913’— Ellen O'Leary was also actively involved in the Fenian movement and in the Land League. She wrote nationalist verse that was published in the Irish People and the Irish Monthly. Her volume Lays of Country, Home and Friends was published in Dublin in 1891.

Rosa Mulholland (Lady Gilbert) (1841–1921)

Mulholland was a prolific novelist and short story writer. Born in Belfast, she studied art in London and her three volumes of poetry were all published there: Vagrant Verses (1886), Spirit and Dust (1908) and Dreams and Realities (1916). She and her husband Sir John Gilbert had one of the largest private libraries in Ireland.