This essay seeks to link Terry Eagleton’s work as a novelist and playwright with his work over many years, in theory, philosophy, and literary criticism. The several pieces discussed here shimmer with raw energy, innovative technique, and a deep grasp of the tangled histories of England and Ireland. The ability to work in both critical and creative modes is rare and the constantly shifting boundaries of the work considered here indicate Eagleton’s desire to carve out a genre that incorporates an inclusive model of expression. The issue of Irish history and politics is an abiding concern for Eagleton; the painful and violent struggle for Irish independence is a constant theme in his work and makes a connection with his own Irish background. Ireland is also a shelter to Wittgenstein in Saints and Scholars, a work that shows Eagleton as also able to cut philosophy and narrative with a ready and effective humour.