John McGahern (12 November 1934 – 30 March 2006) was a renowned Irish writer and novelist.

McGahern is esteemed for his detailed dissection of Irish life, as found in works such as The Barracks, The Dark, and Amongst Women. He was hailed by The Observer as "the greatest living Irish novelist". In its obituary, The Guardian described him as "arguably the most important Irish novelist since Samuel Beckett".

McGahern began his career as a schoolteacher at Scoil Eoin Báiste (Belgrove) primary school in Clontarf, Ireland, where he taught the eminent academic Declan Kiberd before turning to writing full-time. His second novel, The Dark, was banned in Ireland for its alleged pornographic content and implied clerical sexual abuse. This controversy forced him to resign his teaching post. He subsequently moved to England, where he worked in various jobs before returning to Ireland. He lived and worked on a small farm in Fenagh, County Leitrim, located halfway between Ballinamore and Mohill. His third novel, Amongst Women, was shortlisted for the 1990 Man Booker Prize.

John McGahern passed away from cancer in Dublin on 30 March 2006.