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.

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New DIB 'missing person': Mary Young

Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Another fascinating missing person recently added to the DIB, Mary Young (aka Jenny Diver), was a thief from the north of Ireland who gained notoriety as head of a gang of pickpockets in early 1700s London. 

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Thom 'The Diceman' McGinty: street performer and Dublin legend

Thursday, 27 February 2020

It is twenty-five years since the death of Thom McGinty: street performer and gay activist and icon, known to Dubliners as 'The Diceman'. 

Dictionary of Irish Biography

John Francis Spratt and St Valentine

Thursday, 13 February 2020

How did the shrine of St Valentine end up in the Carmelite Church in Dublin?

Dictionary of Irish Biography

New DIB 'missing person': Joan Horan

Wednesday, 12 February 2020

A member of the first team of paralympians to represent Ireland, Joan Horan competed in archery and swimming at the inaugural 1960 Paralympics in Rome. Read her DIB entry, by Turlough O'Riordan, below.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

Celebrating Irish women: Kathleen Lynn

Wednesday, 5 February 2020

Suffragist, nationalist and medical practitioner, Kathleen Lynn, is among the remarkable women featured in the RIA's exhibition 'A celebration of Irish women'

Publications, 1916 Portraits and Lives, Dictionary of Irish Biography

Celebrating Irish women: Constance Markievicz

Monday, 3 February 2020

The Royal Irish Academy is hosting an exhibition in celebration of Irish women running from St Brigid’s Day (1 February) to International Women’s Day (8 March). One of the remarkable women featured is Constance ...

Publications, 1916 Portraits and Lives, Dictionary of Irish Biography

Celebrating the women of Ireland this Brigid's Day

Saturday, 1 February 2020

The Royal Irish Academy is marking Brigid’s Day (1 Feb) with an exhibition of remarkable Irish women at Academy House. To mark this event, the DIB is publishing our entry for the woman (or goddess) herself: Brigit, by...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

The DIB and the Six Nations: Ireland's first Grand Slam

Friday, 31 January 2020

Hope springs eternal as Ireland approach their opening fixure of the 2020 Six Nations, against Scotland, on Saturday 1 February. To mark Ireland's first ever Grand Slam, in 1948, we publish the DIB entry on Karl Mullen...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

New DIB 'missing person': Fay Taylour

Thursday, 16 January 2020

Pioneering motorist Fay Taylour joins the DIB in our latest batch of 'missing persons'. Born in Offaly in 1904, she won multiple major motorcycle and car racing titles against both male and female competitors.

Dictionary of Irish Biography

New DIB 'missing person': Nicholas Nolan

Tuesday, 14 January 2020

Another new 'mssing persons' entry to the DIB is Nicholas Nolan (pictured above holding gloves), secretary to the Government and secretary of the Department of the Taoiseach (1961–72). A painstakingly efficient...

Dictionary of Irish Biography

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