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Born #OTD 1870 suffragist, trade unionist & peace activist Louie (Louisa) Bennett was the first female president of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Throughout her life she consistently condemned colonialism, fascism & armaments expenditure. dib.ie/biography/benn… #DIBLives

‘The father of modern Irish drama’. Born #OTD 1929, Brian Friel has a worldwide reputation as one of the greatest English language playwrights. His development of the monologue play has hugely impacted a new generation of Irish playwrights. dib.ie/biography/frie… #DIBLives

📢NEW BLOG! 📢 Have you ever passed down Dawson Street and wondered what's behind the doors of the Royal Irish Academy/Royal Irish Academy ? Ailbhe Rogers' new blog gives a fascinating insight into the history and architecture of our home here at 19 Dawson Street: tinyurl.com/ycxvrru7

'A fantastic investigative journalist [with] an instinctive desire to uncover the truth.' Mary Raftery's docu-series 'States of Fear' provided a critical outlet for survivors to voice their experiences after years of silence. She died #OTD 2012. dib.ie/biography/raft… #DIBLives

Father of Constance Markievicz, Henry Gore-Booth twice explored the Russian Arctic. In 1882 he purchased a 50-ton ketch The Kara to successfully search for the missing crew of The Eira, sunk off the shores of Franz Josef Land. He died #OTD 1900. dib.ie/biography/boot… #DIBLives

In 1926 Percy Metcalfe (b.#OTD 1895) won the competition to design an entire coinage for the Irish state. His coins, issued in 1928, featured native birds, animals & fish & were hailed as ‘the silent ambassadors of national taste’ (W.B. Yeats). dib.ie/biography/metc… #DIBLives

Blinded by smallpox at 18 months, writer Frances Browne (b. #OTD 1816) was educated by family & friends repeating their lessons from the village school to her. She wrote 3 poetry collections, 3 three-volume novels & many short stories & essays. dib.ie/biography/brow… #DIBLives

Lola Montez (aka Eliza Gilbert, d. #OTD 1861), had a life so colourful it can’t be captured in one tweet - she carried a bullwhip, pursued Franz Liszt, crashed a male-only banquet to dance on the tables & toasted a mob with champagne & chocolate. dib.ie/biography/gilb… #DIBLives

The 1st woman admitted to the all-male Royal Astronomical Society, Mary Agnes Clerke’s analyses were so reliable, thoughtful & wide reaching that she became a revered authority. She died #OTD 1907 & a lunar crater was named to commemorate her. dib.ie/biography/cler… #DIBLives

Born in Co. Longford, Fr Henry Edgeworth accompanied Louis XVI to his execution #OTD 1793, expecting to be killed afterwards. He helped Louis up to the guillotine, falling to his knees in a state of deep emotion while the execution took place. dib.ie/biography/edge… #DIBLives

‘Loved in low places & loathed in high places’, Inez McCormack took that as affirmation that she was doing the right thing. An outspoken champion of equality & human rights, she worked with both sides of the sectarian divide. She died #OTD 2013. dib.ie/biography/mcco… #DIBLives

"I am the fire upon the hearth, I am the light of the good sun, I am the heat that warms the earth, Which else were colder than a stone." Katharine Tynan (born #OTD 1859), 'Any Woman'. dib.ie/biography/hink… #DIBLives

#HolocaustMemorialDay During WW2, Rivesaltes near Perpignan became the main holding centre for Jews in the French 'free zone'. Cork woman Mary Elmes saved at least 70 children from deportation to the camps, smuggling some out in her car boot. dib.ie/biography/elme… #DIBLives

Born #OTD 1874, James Larkin laid the basis of the modern Irish labour movement. He is especially remembered in image & idea; in the image of Dublin workers as a ‘risen people’ in 1913, and the idea of workers' solidarity as a code of honour. dib.ie/biography/lark… #DIBLives

‘Everybody knew, nobody said’. #OTD in 1984, Ann Lovett lay down in the rain in the grotto behind St Mary's Church, Granard & gave birth to a full-term baby boy. She was found alive around 4pm by three schoolboys but died later that day. dib.ie/biography/love… #DIBLives

Founded in 1886 by William Robertson Nicoll, the 'British Weekly' became an unlikely outlet for Irish regional literature in the late C19th. In this month's blog, Patrick Maume takes a look its role in the Irish provincial literary scene. dib.ie/blog/british-w… #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. dib.ie/biography/moor… #DIBLives