Yes, but the first movies weren't made until the 1960's. There has been much speculation of who Fleming wanted to play the part of Bond - Cary Grant, David Niven, Roger Moore, but one thing is known for sure - he wasn't keen on Connery ! Connery was Cubby Broccoli's favourite for the part.
(P.S. Connery was a Scot, not Irish - I'm surprised nobody noticed that one 
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