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...

#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...

#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...

#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...

#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...

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...

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

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

‘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

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

'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