It's nearly impossible to talk about 20th century literature without naming major contributions made by Irish writers—James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, G.B. Shaw and Oscar Wilde. Contemporary Irish writers continute to amaze international audiences, most notably Brian Moore, Edna O'Brien, Seamus Heaney, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John O'Hara. Yet, the celebration of Irish literature has not gone without struggle. Irish writers must confront a tradition that wavers between the Gaelic and English languages. "What is Irish literature?" continues to be asked when discussion turns to Northern writers versus those from the Republic. For these reasons and several others, Creighton offers a program in Irish literature. An Irish Literature Concentration from Creighton's English Department translates into a diversified, dignified portfolio as you prepare for either a career or graduate programs. In addition to a solid background in English literature, the Irish Literature Concentration is grounded in: • Irish myths & epics • Translations from Gaelic to English • Political and historical issues from the Irish Renaissance to the present • Major Irish writers