Dictionary of Irish Biography
@dib.ie
An authoritative reference work of nearly 11,000 lives for scholars of Irish history, society and culture from the Royal Irish Academy
Pinned
This November the @dib.ie publishes 29 biographical entries: 28 new entries alongside an extensive revision of an existing entry. This eclectic range of noteworthy lives, drawn from across the spectrum of Irish society can be viewed here:
www.dib.ie/news/broadca...
www.dib.ie/news/broadca...
On 21 Dec 1967 Prof Michael O'Kelly watched a beam of light strike the floor & creep forwards to illuminate the high, rock-vaulted chamber at Newgrange. @dib.ie's Terry Clavin considers the strangely muted response to prehistoric Ireland’s spectacular feat of engineering. www.dib.ie/blog/newgran...
December 1, 2025 at 9:40 AM
On 21 Dec 1967 Prof Michael O'Kelly watched a beam of light strike the floor & creep forwards to illuminate the high, rock-vaulted chamber at Newgrange. @dib.ie's Terry Clavin considers the strangely muted response to prehistoric Ireland’s spectacular feat of engineering. www.dib.ie/blog/newgran...
#DIBNewLives
Patricia Ryan’s influence on the development of ballet in Ireland was immense, if underappreciated in her lifetime. Students of her school, the National Ballet School, performed in the first ever television broadcast by Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961. www.dib.ie/biography/ry...
Patricia Ryan’s influence on the development of ballet in Ireland was immense, if underappreciated in her lifetime. Students of her school, the National Ballet School, performed in the first ever television broadcast by Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961. www.dib.ie/biography/ry...
November 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
#DIBNewLives
Patricia Ryan’s influence on the development of ballet in Ireland was immense, if underappreciated in her lifetime. Students of her school, the National Ballet School, performed in the first ever television broadcast by Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961. www.dib.ie/biography/ry...
Patricia Ryan’s influence on the development of ballet in Ireland was immense, if underappreciated in her lifetime. Students of her school, the National Ballet School, performed in the first ever television broadcast by Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961. www.dib.ie/biography/ry...
#DIBNewLives
With a broadcasting career spanning nearly 60 years, Jimmy 'the Memory man’ Magee had one of the most recognisable voices on Irish radio & television. He commentated on an incredible 15 Olympic games, including Katie Taylor's gold medal-winning fight in 2012.
www.dib.ie/biography/ma...
With a broadcasting career spanning nearly 60 years, Jimmy 'the Memory man’ Magee had one of the most recognisable voices on Irish radio & television. He commentated on an incredible 15 Olympic games, including Katie Taylor's gold medal-winning fight in 2012.
www.dib.ie/biography/ma...
November 27, 2025 at 10:05 AM
#DIBNewLives
With a broadcasting career spanning nearly 60 years, Jimmy 'the Memory man’ Magee had one of the most recognisable voices on Irish radio & television. He commentated on an incredible 15 Olympic games, including Katie Taylor's gold medal-winning fight in 2012.
www.dib.ie/biography/ma...
With a broadcasting career spanning nearly 60 years, Jimmy 'the Memory man’ Magee had one of the most recognisable voices on Irish radio & television. He commentated on an incredible 15 Olympic games, including Katie Taylor's gold medal-winning fight in 2012.
www.dib.ie/biography/ma...
Wonderful to see RTE featuring the biography of pioneering computer engineer Kay McNulty from our new publication 'Irish STEM Lives', edited by DIB's Turlough O'Riordan and Professor Jane Grimson.
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
November 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Wonderful to see RTE featuring the biography of pioneering computer engineer Kay McNulty from our new publication 'Irish STEM Lives', edited by DIB's Turlough O'Riordan and Professor Jane Grimson.
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
#DIBNewLives
A fearless champion of equality, fairness & justice, Ann Louise Gilligan is remembered as ‘the spark that lit the marriage equality movement’. The court case to recognise her marriage to Katherine Zappone sparked the decade-long fight for marriage equality.
www.dib.ie/biography/gi...
A fearless champion of equality, fairness & justice, Ann Louise Gilligan is remembered as ‘the spark that lit the marriage equality movement’. The court case to recognise her marriage to Katherine Zappone sparked the decade-long fight for marriage equality.
www.dib.ie/biography/gi...
November 26, 2025 at 9:13 AM
#DIBNewLives
A fearless champion of equality, fairness & justice, Ann Louise Gilligan is remembered as ‘the spark that lit the marriage equality movement’. The court case to recognise her marriage to Katherine Zappone sparked the decade-long fight for marriage equality.
www.dib.ie/biography/gi...
A fearless champion of equality, fairness & justice, Ann Louise Gilligan is remembered as ‘the spark that lit the marriage equality movement’. The court case to recognise her marriage to Katherine Zappone sparked the decade-long fight for marriage equality.
www.dib.ie/biography/gi...
#DIBNewLives
Geneticist Patrick 'Mike' Conneally was part of the team that localised the genetic markers linked to Huntingdon's Disease and Alzheimer's. The approaches they developed have been widely utilised, including in what became known as the Human Genome Project.
www.dib.ie/biography/co...
Geneticist Patrick 'Mike' Conneally was part of the team that localised the genetic markers linked to Huntingdon's Disease and Alzheimer's. The approaches they developed have been widely utilised, including in what became known as the Human Genome Project.
www.dib.ie/biography/co...
November 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
#DIBNewLives
Geneticist Patrick 'Mike' Conneally was part of the team that localised the genetic markers linked to Huntingdon's Disease and Alzheimer's. The approaches they developed have been widely utilised, including in what became known as the Human Genome Project.
www.dib.ie/biography/co...
Geneticist Patrick 'Mike' Conneally was part of the team that localised the genetic markers linked to Huntingdon's Disease and Alzheimer's. The approaches they developed have been widely utilised, including in what became known as the Human Genome Project.
www.dib.ie/biography/co...
#DIBNewLives
Loyalist politician & community activist Glen Barr established personal relations with individuals across the divide, suggesting his professed desire for reconciliation was as sincere as his commitment to defend & articulate the Protestant working class. www.dib.ie/biography/ba...
Loyalist politician & community activist Glen Barr established personal relations with individuals across the divide, suggesting his professed desire for reconciliation was as sincere as his commitment to defend & articulate the Protestant working class. www.dib.ie/biography/ba...
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
#DIBNewLives
Loyalist politician & community activist Glen Barr established personal relations with individuals across the divide, suggesting his professed desire for reconciliation was as sincere as his commitment to defend & articulate the Protestant working class. www.dib.ie/biography/ba...
Loyalist politician & community activist Glen Barr established personal relations with individuals across the divide, suggesting his professed desire for reconciliation was as sincere as his commitment to defend & articulate the Protestant working class. www.dib.ie/biography/ba...
Reposted by Dictionary of Irish Biography
We are so proud to see the impact Joe Rodgers continues to have on Irish historical research. Read his entry about Thomas Gresham, which was added to the @historydib.bsky.social this week www.dib.ie/biography/gr...
November 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
We are so proud to see the impact Joe Rodgers continues to have on Irish historical research. Read his entry about Thomas Gresham, which was added to the @historydib.bsky.social this week www.dib.ie/biography/gr...
Reposted by Dictionary of Irish Biography
(That should be John Thomas Troy!) oh for an edit button! You can read his full bio here @dib.ie www.dib.ie/biography/tr...
www.dib.ie
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
(That should be John Thomas Troy!) oh for an edit button! You can read his full bio here @dib.ie www.dib.ie/biography/tr...
Reposted by Dictionary of Irish Biography
The rise and fall of Ballyshannon port. The port's international connections brought much prosperity to the Co Donegal town from the 15th century onwards, but the good times didn't last, writes @angela-historian.bsky.social @ria.ie @dib.ie www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
The rise and fall of Ballyshannon port
The port's international connections brought much prosperity to the Co Donegal town, but the good times didn't last
www.rte.ie
November 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The rise and fall of Ballyshannon port. The port's international connections brought much prosperity to the Co Donegal town from the 15th century onwards, but the good times didn't last, writes @angela-historian.bsky.social @ria.ie @dib.ie www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
This November the @dib.ie publishes 29 biographical entries: 28 new entries alongside an extensive revision of an existing entry. This eclectic range of noteworthy lives, drawn from across the spectrum of Irish society can be viewed here:
www.dib.ie/news/broadca...
www.dib.ie/news/broadca...
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This November the @dib.ie publishes 29 biographical entries: 28 new entries alongside an extensive revision of an existing entry. This eclectic range of noteworthy lives, drawn from across the spectrum of Irish society can be viewed here:
www.dib.ie/news/broadca...
www.dib.ie/news/broadca...
Reposted by Dictionary of Irish Biography
Found this when looking for 17thC things. The joy of the freely accessible @historydib.bsky.social
www.dib.ie/index.php/bi...
www.dib.ie/index.php/bi...
www.dib.ie
July 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Found this when looking for 17thC things. The joy of the freely accessible @historydib.bsky.social
www.dib.ie/index.php/bi...
www.dib.ie/index.php/bi...
A prominent cultural figure in post-war Dublin, John Ryan (b. #OTD 1925)owned the Bailey on Duke St. Frequented by writers & artists, the establishment became renowned for its connections with a motley group of writers including Brendan Behan & Anthony Cronin. www.dib.ie/biography/ry... #DIBLives
February 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A prominent cultural figure in post-war Dublin, John Ryan (b. #OTD 1925)owned the Bailey on Duke St. Frequented by writers & artists, the establishment became renowned for its connections with a motley group of writers including Brendan Behan & Anthony Cronin. www.dib.ie/biography/ry... #DIBLives
Limerickman George Browne, soldier of fortune, had an extraordinary life: he was a galley slave, governor of Livonia for Catherine the Great, he lost part of his skull in war and he carried a coffin with him for 10 years in protest. He died #OTD 1792. dib.ie/biography/br... #DIBLives
February 18, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Limerickman George Browne, soldier of fortune, had an extraordinary life: he was a galley slave, governor of Livonia for Catherine the Great, he lost part of his skull in war and he carried a coffin with him for 10 years in protest. He died #OTD 1792. dib.ie/biography/br... #DIBLives
Eliza Gilbert (aka Lola Montez), born #OTD 1820, had a life so colourful it can’t be captured in one post - she carried a bullwhip, pursued Franz Liszt, crashed a male-only banquet to dance on the tables and toasted a mob with champagne & chocolate. www.dib.ie/biography/gi... #DIBLives
February 17, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Eliza Gilbert (aka Lola Montez), born #OTD 1820, had a life so colourful it can’t be captured in one post - she carried a bullwhip, pursued Franz Liszt, crashed a male-only banquet to dance on the tables and toasted a mob with champagne & chocolate. www.dib.ie/biography/gi... #DIBLives
Handsome and composed, with the attire & manners of a gentleman, it was rumoured that Queen Marie Antoinette herself appealed for pirate Luke Ryan to be released from Newgate prison when he was to be executed in 1782. He was born #OTD 1750. www.dib.ie/biography/ry... #DIBLives
February 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Handsome and composed, with the attire & manners of a gentleman, it was rumoured that Queen Marie Antoinette herself appealed for pirate Luke Ryan to be released from Newgate prison when he was to be executed in 1782. He was born #OTD 1750. www.dib.ie/biography/ry... #DIBLives
‘A principled lawyer & honest man.' #OTD 1989 solicitor Pat Finucane was shot dead in front of his family by UFF gunmen at his home in Belfast. He was the 1st defence lawyer killed in the Troubles & his death was recognised as a blow to the whole judicial system. www.dib.ie/biography/fi... #DIBLives
February 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
‘A principled lawyer & honest man.' #OTD 1989 solicitor Pat Finucane was shot dead in front of his family by UFF gunmen at his home in Belfast. He was the 1st defence lawyer killed in the Troubles & his death was recognised as a blow to the whole judicial system. www.dib.ie/biography/fi... #DIBLives
“You have disgraced yourselves again. Is this to be an ever recurring celebration of the arrival of Irish genius?” (W.B. Yeats) #OTD 1926 audiences rioted when Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars was performed in the Abbey Theatre. www.dib.ie/biography/oc... #DIBLives
February 11, 2025 at 10:36 AM
“You have disgraced yourselves again. Is this to be an ever recurring celebration of the arrival of Irish genius?” (W.B. Yeats) #OTD 1926 audiences rioted when Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars was performed in the Abbey Theatre. www.dib.ie/biography/oc... #DIBLives
Born #OTD 1842 Agnes Mary Clerke was the first woman admitted to the all-male Royal Astronomical Society. Her analyses were so reliable, thoughtful and wide reaching that she became a revered authority, and a lunar crater has been named to commemorate her. www.dib.ie/biography/cl... #DIBLives
February 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Born #OTD 1842 Agnes Mary Clerke was the first woman admitted to the all-male Royal Astronomical Society. Her analyses were so reliable, thoughtful and wide reaching that she became a revered authority, and a lunar crater has been named to commemorate her. www.dib.ie/biography/cl... #DIBLives
Although veterinary surgeon Aleen Cust was first in her class in 1900, she wasn't permitted to sit the RCVS exams due to her gender. Following passage of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act she took the exam, becoming the 1st female member of the RCVS in 1922. www.dib.ie/biography/cu... #DIBLives
February 7, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Although veterinary surgeon Aleen Cust was first in her class in 1900, she wasn't permitted to sit the RCVS exams due to her gender. Following passage of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act she took the exam, becoming the 1st female member of the RCVS in 1922. www.dib.ie/biography/cu... #DIBLives
'One of the great Irish bluesmen. His playing was exceptional & beautiful. We won't see his like again.' Gary Moore's (d. #OTD 2011) combination of virtuosity & soulfulness could mesmerise audiences & was much admired by fellow guitarists. www.dib.ie/biography/mo... #DIBLives
February 6, 2025 at 9:51 AM
'One of the great Irish bluesmen. His playing was exceptional & beautiful. We won't see his like again.' Gary Moore's (d. #OTD 2011) combination of virtuosity & soulfulness could mesmerise audiences & was much admired by fellow guitarists. www.dib.ie/biography/mo... #DIBLives