Brendan Behan was an author and playwright--and also a member the Irish Republican Army. Born in Dublin into a staunchly republican family, he became a member of the IRA's youth organization Fianna Éireann at the age of fourteen. Behan eventually joined the IRA which led to his serving time in a Borstal youth prison in the United Kingdom and he was also imprisoned in Ireland. Subsequently released from prison as part of a general amnesty given by the Fianna Fáil government in 1946, Behan moved between homes in Dublin, Kerry and Connemara, and also resided in Paris for a time.
In 1956, Behan's first play, The Quare Fellow gained him a wide reputation. This was helped by a famous drunken interview on BBC television. In 1958, Behan's play in the Irish language An Giall had its debut at Dublin's Damer Theatre. Later, The Hostage, Behan's English-language adaptation of An Giall, met with great success internationally. Behan's autobiographical novel, Borstal Boy, was published the same year and became a worldwide best-seller.

Benedict Kiely was one of the most beloved Irish authors. In 1996, he was named Saoi of Aosdána, the highest honor given by the Arts Council of Ireland.