Possible Clues:

• Irish playwright, novelist and poet (1730-74)
• Benvenuto Cellini was one classic author
• Irish novelist and metalworker
• Dramatist, novelist, or forger?
• Dramatist, his output precious?
• Oliver? Good, early story, say, including Sikes's end
• Irish author or 24, for example
• Oliver or Adam?
• Oliver, very common name, is after first prize
• Good and venerable name commonly used for writer and poet