New DIB publication: Transatlantic Lives
13 November 2019To celebrate the publication by the Ulster Historical Foundation of Transatlantic lives: the Irish experience in Colonial America, we publish the DIB entry on Anne Bonney, by Frances Clarke.
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 RIAThe Dictionary of Irish Biography
The Dictionary of Irish Biography is Ireland’s national biographical dictionary. Devised, researched, written and edited under the auspices of the Royal Irish Academy, its online edition covers nearly 11,000 lives.
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News and Updates
Read featured biographies and learn about the latest initiatives from the Dictionary of Irish Biography
Adomnán: the man behind the milestone law
12 November 2019To mark the publication of A history of Ireland in 100 words here is the biography of Adomnán, who makes an appearance in the entry for the word 'Cáin', tax laws, specifically the landmark Cáin Adomnáin (law of Adomnán) decreed in 697 to secure the protection of non-comabatants in war.
Queen Medb and the Irish language
11 November 2019To mark the publication of A history of Ireland in 100 words the DIB is publishing biographies of key figures from Irish history who make intriguing appearances in the new book. Queen Medb of Connacht, for example, shows up in entries as diverse as 'Carn', 'Fadhb' (problem solving) and 'Cara' (friendship).
Alice Kyteler: Ireland's first witch
30 October 2019To mark Samhain we present the biography of Alice Kyteler, the first recorded person to be condemned for sorcery in Ireland.
The Durdin-Robertsons, high priests of spaceship earth
22 October 2019Read the DIB entries for the eccentric Durdin-Robertson siblings who established their own goddess cult in the bowels of Huntington castle in Carlow, and are among the subjects of a new exhibition 'Operating Manual For Spaceship Earth' at the Irish Architectural Archive.
The DIB and the Rugby World Cup 2019: Ireland's All Black
18 October 2019To mark Ireland meeting New Zealand on Saturday 19 October, in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup 2019, we are publishing the DIB entry on Dave Gallaher, the first captain of the New Zealand All Blacks, by Nicholas Allen.
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