THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

Read more about the RIA

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Latest News Articles

Upcoming Events

Filter News

The DIB and Christ Church cathedral: Sitriuc Silkbeard

Monday, 16 September 2019

This coming Friday Terry Clavin will be speaking at Christ Church Cathedral on the many DIB lives connected to the institution throughout its rich history. To mark this event read the DIB entry on Sitriuc Silkbeard, by...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

The DIB and Rugby World Cup 2019: the 'father of Irish rugby'

Friday, 13 September 2019

To mark the start of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, we publish below the DIB entry on Sir Charles Burton Barrington (1848–1943), integral to the establishment of Rugby Football in Ireland, by Shaun Boylan.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Camogie legends in the DIB: Kay Mills

Friday, 6 September 2019

For this weekend's All-Ireland camogie final we are revisiting the life of Kathleen 'Kay' Mills who won fifteen All-Ireland senior medals. Read her entry below by Mary Moran.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: The Sam Maguire

Friday, 30 August 2019

It’s All Ireland Final weekend, find out about the inspiration for the Sam Maguire cup……

Publications, Art and Architecture of Ireland, Dictionary of Irish Biography, Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks

Lunchtime lecture series marking 100 years of Irish foreign policy

Thursday, 29 August 2019

Join the authors of our forthcoming book Ireland: a voice among the nations and explore how Ireland has engaged with the wider world over the past century.

Publications, Dictionary of Irish Biography, Decade of Centenaries, Documents on Irish Foreign Policy

Iris Kellett, renowned equestrian

Tuesday, 6 August 2019

To mark the start of the 2019 Dublin Horse Show and an exhibition celebrating 100 years of women showjumpers at the RDS, we are publishing the DIB entry on Iris Kellett, one of Ireland’s most celebrated, and decorated,...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Irish educators abroad: Margaret Noble (Sister Nivedita)

Monday, 29 July 2019

Dungannon born Margaret Noble is better known in India as Sister Nivedita, educator and political activist. Read the DIB entry for her by Maurice Hayes.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

The DIB on the Fourth of July: First Mother

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Read about the life of Elizabeth Jackson, the mother of America's seventh president, Andrew Jackson, who hailed from Co. Antrim, by Dr Linde Lunney.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Pride month DIB entry: Philip Chevron

Saturday, 29 June 2019

To mark Pride 2019 we are publishing our recent entry on celebrated musician and activist Philip Chevron (1957–2013), writer of the heartfelt 'Under Clery's clock' about his experience as a gay man in 1980s Dublin.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

New DIB lives: cat burglar to the stars

Wednesday, 26 June 2019

This week we added thirty-nine new lives to the DIB online. One of the more intriguing is Peter Gulston, a notorious thief once cursed by Sophia Loren. Read our entry by Niav Gallagher below.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Pages