The earliest Irish art is found in carvings on megalithic monuments dating from 2500 - 2000 BC. In early historic times, Celtic art predominated, reaching its peak in illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells. While the basic Celtic patterns remain, European influences such as Viking, Romanesque and Gothic styles are seen in work executed later than the 9th century. The large, distinctly Irish, stone crosses, seen across the country date from the 9th and 10th centuries.

From the mid-17th century, decorative arts and large-scale building flourished under the influence of contemporary European trends.

By the early 19th century neo-classicism, romanticism, and later naturalism, were the dominant forces in painting. They were replaced at the end of that century by impressionism. This was a particularly rich period which gave us artists such as Nathaniel Hone, Walter Osborne, John Lavery, William Leech, John Butler Yeats and William Orpen.

Modernism was first explored by the painters Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett. A forum for the new movement was provided by the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, founded in 1943. From this emerged internationally influenced artists such as Louis Le Brocquy, Patrick Scott, Michael Farrall, Robert Ballagh and, to a lesser extent, Patrick Collins, Tony O'Malley, Camille Souter and Barrie Cooke.

Monumental sculpture of 19th century is best represented by the work of John Hogan and John Henry Foley whose tradition lasted into the 20th century with such sculptors as Oisín Kelly, Séamas Murphy and Hilary Heron. Contemporary sculptors include Brian King, John Behan, Michael Bulfin, Michael Warran and Eilis O' Connell.

Film in Ireland
During 1996, Ireland celebrated a centenary of film. Over that century, many leading international film makers have worked here.

Alfred Hitchcock filmed O'Casey's "Juno and the Paycock" with the Abbey Theatre Players in 1930.

John Ford directed "The Informer" in 1935 and The Quiet Man in 1952.

John Huston, who made his home in Ireland, made many films here including his last film, James Joyce's "The Dead" in 1987.

David Lean made his epic "Ryan's Daughter" in Co. Kerry in 1970.

Over the last twenty years, however, Ireland has made its own mark on the world of film, with directors like Jim Sheridan and Neil Jordan winning Oscars for films such as "My Left Foot" and "The Crying Game".

The wealth of locations and film making skills available in Ireland have brought directors from all over the world to film in Ireland.

Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849) was the first to deal specifically with Irish themes. She was followed by 19th century patriotic writers such as Thomas Davis, Samuel Ferguson and James Clarence Mangan.

The work of these mid-19th century authors was the precursor to Ireland's most exciting period, known as the Celtic Revival, or Irish Literary Renaissance.

Among the best known writers of this period this period were W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, James Stephens, John Millington Synge, George Russell and George Moore all of whom lived and worked in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Perhaps the most outstanding Irish novelist of recent times is James Joyce, (1882-1941). His novel Ulysses remains one of the most celebrated works of prose fiction of the 20th century.

Other distinguished modern Irish writers and poets include Flann O'Brien (1911-1966), Frank O'Connor (1903-1966), Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967), Louis MacNeice (1907-1963), Mary Lavin (1912-1996), Thomas Kinsella (b.1928), Seamus Heaney (b. 1939), Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) and John McGahern (b. 1934).

Ireland's theatrical works have been internationally renowned for even longer than her books. Oliver Goldsmith, Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Oscar Wilde were all luminaries of the London stage as far back as the 18th and 19th centuries.

More recently, George Bernard Shaw is regarded as one of the great dramatists in the English Language. John Millington Synge, Sean O'Casey, Brendan Behan, Brian Friel and Hugh Leonard have also achieved international success. But perhaps the most enigmatic figure of Irish letters was the internationally acclaimed dramatist and novelist Samuel Beckett.

Beckett, Shaw, Yeats and Heaney were all awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Novelist Roddy Doyle is a Booker Prize winner.

Modern writers in Irish, such as Patrick Pearse (1879-1916) and Pádraic O'Conaire (1883-1928), opened Irish literature to European influences after centuries of isolation.

Distinguished writers and poets of the modern era include Seán Ó Ríordáin (1916-1977), Máirtín Ó Díreáin (1910-1988), Máire Mhac an tSaoi (b. 1922), Liam Ó Flaitheartaigh (1897-1984), Seosamh Mac Grianna (1901-1990), Máirtín Ó Cadhain and Brendan Behan (1923-1964). Among the leading contemporary figures are Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill (b. 1952), Micheál Ó Siadhail (b. 1947) and Liam Ó Muirthile (b. 1950). A significant number of these writers, including Pearse, Ó Flaitheartaigh and Ó Siadhail, have also written important creative work in English. Over one hundred new titles in the Irish language are published annually with books for children proving very popular.

Music
Music has always been important in Irish cultural life. One of the earliest Irish composers whose work has survived is Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738), known as 'The Blind Harpist', who was one of the last in the ancient Bardic tradition.

Eighteenth century Dublin attracted many composers and saw the first performance of Handel's Messiah in 1742. John Field (1782 -1837), creator of the 'Nocturne', influenced European composers such as Chopin and Glinka. In more recent times, composers A.J. Potter (1918 -1980) and Gerard Victory (1921 -1995) have been highly influential figures on the contemporary classical music scene.

In this century traditional Irish music has inspired modern composers such as Seán Ó Ríada, A. J. Potter, Brian Boydell, Seoirse Bodley, Shaun Davey and Mícheal Ó Súilleabháin, to name but a few.

Since the 1960s, traditional Irish music has grown in popularity, both in Ireland and abroad, through groups as diverse as The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Clannad, The Chieftains, De Dannan and Altan, who have put traditional music into a modern context without compromising its timeless essence and integrity. Another example of this phenomenon in Irish culture is the international hit show 'Riverdance', which brings together the best of Irish song, dance and music.

Ireland also has an international reputation for other musical styles, with artists like Van Morrisson, U2, Sinéad O' Connor and The Cranberries. New acts are hitting the world stage, such as Therapy, Ash and The Corrs.