A major figure in twentieth century literature, Colum's sphere of work included his involvement in the Irish literay revival, children's literature, and translations from Gaelic into English. As the eldest of eight children, he accompanied his father to the United States to participate in the Colorado Gold Rush, and as an adult he frequently travelled between Ireland and the United States. Colum returned to Ireland with his father in 1892, and he later he attended University College Dublin.

Shortly after the turn of the century, he became colleagues and friends with other major figures of the Irish literary renaissance, including William Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory, George William Russell (known by his pseudonyn, "AE"), and James Joyce. His literary career began as a playwright and poet. Served as one of the originals board members of the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland, where several of his plays were performed. In 1907 his first publication appeared, a collection of poetry titled "Wild Earth." In 1911 Colum co-founded a literay journal titled "The Irish Review," which published works by numerous major Irish authors such as George Moore, W.B. Yeats, and Oliver St. John Gogarty.

In 1914 Colum returned to the United States with his wife, the literary critic and author Mary Gunning (Maguire) Colum, and stayed for eight years. In the United States, he began writing children's stories, and in 1916 published "The King of Ireland's Son," which consisted of translations from Irish folklore. His publications for children and young people include "The Children's Homer" (1918), "Adventures of Odysseus" and the "Tale of Troy" (1918), "The Boy Apprenticed to an Enchanter" (1920), and "Children of Odin: Nordic Gods and Heroes" (1920). For his contribution to children's literature, he received the American Library Association's Newbery Medal three times. In 1922 Colum was commissioned by the Hawaiian legislature to write the islands' folklore for children, and this endeavor resulted in three books. The same year, he served as editor of "An Anthology of Irish Verse. A book of verse titled "Dramatic Legends" was published in 1922, followed by "Creatures" in 1927, and "Old Pastures" in 1930. Colum's literary reputation expanded with his novels "Castle Conquer" in 1923, and "The Flying Swans" in 1957, both set in the nineteenth century. His "Collected Poems" appeared in 1932.

After living in Paris and Nice from 1930 to 1933, Colum and his wife returned to the United States where they taught comparative literature at Columbia College and the City University of New York. Padraic and Mary Colum also became United States citizens. A collection of Irish stories titled "The Frenzied Prince" appeared in 1933. He continued to write poetry and plays, and an updated edition of his "Collected Poems" was published in 1953. In 1958 Colum published a book he co-wrote with his late wife titled "Our Friend James Joyce." A citizen of both Ireland the the United States, much of Colum's later years was divided between the two countries. In 1961, the Catholic Library Association presented him with the Regina Medal for his contribution to children's literature. In 1965, Colum recorded "Padraic Colum Reading His Irish Tales and Poems."

Peter William Crowley was the son of a Fenian who fought in the Rising of 1867, Timothy Crowley. He and his entire family were heavily involved with the struggle for Irish Independence, all being members of the IRA and IRB.

Peter fought the Irish War of Independence, and spent 94 days on hunger strike with a group of local Ballylanders men, including his older brother John Crowley, in Cork County Gaol, between August 11 to November 12 1920. These hunger strikers were demanding reinstatement of political status and release from prison, and they hold the Guinness World Record for the Longest Hunger Strike without any food consumed whatsoever in history.

A native of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland, Charles James Haughey was the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland from Decemeber 11, 1979 to June 30, 1981, March 9, 1982 to December 14, 1982, and then from March 10, 1987 to February 11, 1992. Haughey also served as a Member of Parliament in 1957, Minister for Justice from 1961 to 1964, Minister of Agriculture from 1964 to 1966, Minister of Finance from 1966 to 1970, Minister for Health & Social Welfare from 1977 to 1979, and Leader of the Fianna Sial from 1979 to 1992.

He retired from politics in 1992, and returned to private life. Haughey passed away from the effects of prostate cancer, at the age of 80, at his home in Kinsealy, Co. Dublin.

Born in Co. Clare Ireland, Dr. Patrick John Hillery began his career as a physician before serving as Ireland's sixth president from 1976 to 1990. Previously he had served as Minister for Education from 1959 to 1965, Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1965 to 1966, Minister for labor from 1966 to 1969, and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1969 to 1973.

He was appointed as Ireland's first Commissioner to the European Common Market in 1973, where he served in that capacity until 1976. He died in Dublin in April 2008.

Born in West Bromwich, England, and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he was best known as the singer, bass guitarist and principal songwriter for the Irish rock band "Thin Lizzy." In 1969, with drummer Brian Downey, he formed Thin Lizzy. With guitarist Eric Bell, they had their first Top 10 hit with a rock version of the traditional Irish song "Whiskey in the Jar" in 1973. With the addition of lead guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian "Robbo" Robertson, Thin Lizzy gained international success in 1976, with the single "The Boys Are Back in Town," followed by "Jailbreak," "Cowboy Song," "Bad Reputation," "Dancing in the Moonlight," "Rosalie" and "Wild One."

After the band's breakup in 1983, Lynott embarked in a solo career, recorded two albums and published a book of poetry titled "Songs for While I'm Away."

He died of heart failure at age 36.

Micheál MacLiammóir was a leading performer and author of Irish stage in the 20th century. Born Alfred Willmore in London, he began his career as a child actor in the company of Noel Coward. MacLiammóir later studied arts and languages, before reaching Ireland where he met his future partner, the actor Hilton Edwards. In 1928 they founded the world famous Gate Theatre in Dublin.

MacLiammoir appeared on Broadway in the 1930s and from the 1950s onwards toured the world in an acclaimed one man show "The Importance of Being Oscar," based on the life of Oscar Wilde. He followed this in 1963 with "I Must Be Talking to My Friends," a show about Irish writers, and with "Talking About Yeats," his final one-man entertainment. In films he is best remembered for his role as Iago in Orson Welles' "Othello" (1952). He wrote an account of the making of this film, "Put Money In Thy Purse" (1952).

As a playwright, his many credits include "A Slipper for the Moon," "Dancing Shadow," "Diarmuid and Grainne" and "Where Stars Walk."

Ray McAnally was a prolific actor on the stage, in films, and on television. In fact, he was considered one of Ireland's most revered stage actors, in his native country and abroad. He was best known for playing the character roles of sergeants, inspectors, doctors, tramps, politicians, dukes, priests, captains, generals, and grandfathers. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Mr. Brown' in the biographical film drama, "My Left Foot" (1989). The film which was directed and written by Jim Sheridan, which was written for the screen by Shane Connaughton, and which also starred Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, and Alison Whelan, tells the story of Christy Brown, born with cerebral palsy, learns to paint and write with his only controllable limb - his left foot. The film was nominated or won several awards including winning three Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Brenda Fricker, and Best Picture for Neal Pearson at the Academy Awards in 1990.

He will also be best remembered for playing the role of 'Father Patrick' in fourteen episodes of the popular Irish television comedy series, "Me Mammy," from 1968 to 1971, which also starred Milo O'Shea, Anna Manahan, and Yootha Joyce.

He was born as Raymond Cathdu McAnally in the seaside town of Buncrana, Co. Donegal, Ireland, to a bank manager on March 30, 1926. He was educated locally and attended the prestigious St. Eunan's College in Letterkenny, Ireland, where he wrote, produced, and staged a musical called "Madame Screwball," at the age of 16. He later changed his mind on his chosen path and left St. Patrick's College Seminary shortly thereafter to pursue an acting career.

He began his acting career on the stage when he joined the world-renowned Abbey Theatre in Dublin, in 1947. He appeared on the stage in several plays including as 'Budd Connor' in "A Cheap Bunch Of Nice Flowers," at the New Arts Theatre (now the Arts Theatre), in London, England, in 1962, as 'Lawyer' in "Tiny Alice," as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, at Aldwych Theatre in London, England, in 1970, and as 'George Bernard Shaw' in "The Best Of Friends," at Apollo Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue), in London, England, in 1988. He also played the role of 'George' in the stage production of the play, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" opposite legendary British actress Constance Cummings at the Piccadilly Theatre in London, England, and was in the original theatre production of "Translations," opposite actor Liam Neeson in 1982.

During this time he also made the transition to film and television. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'Hugh O'Cahan' in the mystery romance comedy film, "Professor Tim" (1957). The film which was directed by Henry Cass, which was based on the play by George Shiels and which was written for the screen by Robert S. Baker, and which also starred Maire O'Donnell, Seamus Kavanagh, Maire Keane, and Philip O'Flynn, tells the story of an Irishman, name Professor Tim, who returns to Ireland after twenty years of wandering the world and conceals from his family the fact that he has come into an inheritance. The Scallys and the Kllroys provide some complications.

Besides, "Professor Tim" (1957), and "My Left Foot" (1989), his many other film credits include, "She Didn't Say No!" (1958), "Desert Patrol" (1959), "Shake Hands With The Devil" (1959), "The Naked Edge" (1961), "Murder In Eden" (1961), "Billy Budd" (1962), "Inquiry At Lisieux" (1963), He Who Rides A Tiger" (1965), "Brendan Behan's Dublin" (1966), "The Looking Glass War" (1970), "Quest For Love" (1971), "Fear Is The Key" (1972), "The Outsider" (1979), "The Silver Tassie" (1980), "Invasion" (1980), "The Sleep Of Death" (1980), "Angel" (1982), "Cal" (1984), "A Painful Case" (1984), "No Surrender" (1985), "The Mission" (1986), "The Fourth Protocol" (1987), "Empire State" (1987), "The Sicilain" (1987), "White Mischief" (1987), "Scout" (1987), "Taffin" (1988), "High Spirits" (1988), and "Venus Peter" (1989). His last film role was playing the role of 'Warden' in the religious crime comedy film, "We're No Angels" (1989). The film which was directed by Neil Jordan, which was based on Albert Husson's play, "La Cuisine De Anges," which was written for the screen by Ranald MacDougall and David Mamet, and which also starred Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Demi Moore, Hoyt Axton, and Bruno Kirby, tells the story of two escaped cons whose only prayer to escape is to pass themselves off as priests and pass by the police blockade at the border into the safety of Canada.

Besides, playing the role of 'Father Patrick' in fourteen episodes of the popular Irish television comedy series, "Me Mammy," from 1968 to 1971, which also starred Milo O'Shea, Anna Manahan, and Yootha Joyce, his many other television credits include, "Gideon C.I.D." "The Human Jungle," 'Court Martial," "Theatre 625," "ITV Play Of The Week," "Insurrection"," "The Fellows," "Man In A Suitcase," "Armchair Theatre," "Spindoe," "The Avengers," "Strange Report," "ITV Playhouse," "Paul Temple," "Mogul," "The Mind Of Mr. J.G. Reeder," "The Sinners," "Kate," "ITV Sunday Night Theatre," "Justice," "Pollyanna," "Barlow," "Dial M For Murder," "The Double Dealers," "Public Eye," "Crown Court," "The Burke Enigma," "Dick Turpin," Thursday Play Date," "Strangers," "The Dick Emery Show," "A Perfect Spy," "Last Of The Summer Wine," "A Very British Coup," "Jack The Ripper," "and "Great Expectations." His honors include being the recipient of four BAFTA Awards including two BAFTA Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor for "The Mission" (1986), Best Supporting Actor for "My Left Foot" (1989), and two BAFTA Television Awards for Best Actor for "A Perfect Spy" (1988), and Best Actor for "Scout" (1988), and for Best Actor for "A Very British Coup" (1989).

At the time of his death, he was due to play the role of 'Bull' McCabe in Jim Sheridan's film "The Field." The part eventually went to actor Richard Harris, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance. He had also been cast in the lead role in the film, "First And Last, a drama about a man who walked from Land's End to John o' Groats. The filming production was almost a third of the way done when he died, but the whole play had to be re-filmed, with actor Joss Ackland taking the role instead.

He was married to the actress Veronica "Ronnie" Masterson McAnally (1926-2014), with whom he co-founded Old Quay Productions which presented an assortment of classic plays in the 1960s and 1970s. The couple had four children together, including two daughters Maire and Niamh, and two sons Conor and television presenter and personality Aonghus McAnally. He is also the grandfather of actor Aonghus Og McAnally.

He was posthumously ranked at number 34 on The Irish Times's List of Ireland's Greatest Film Actors in 2020.

Due to a lack of oxygen at birth, Christopher Nolan was almost completely paralysed by cerebral palsy. He was educated at Central Remedial Clinic School, Mount Temple Comprehensive School and Trinity College, Dublin.

His first book of poetry "Dam Burst of Dreams" was published when he was 15 but his greatest achievement was in 1988 when his semi biographical book "Under The Eye Of The Clock" won the coveted Whitbread Prize. A later work "The Banyan Tree" took him 12 years to write. He wrote by tapping a keyboard with a "unicorn stick" strapped to his head.

He was also awarded the Medal of Excellence by the United Nations Society of Writers and in 1988 he was named Person of the Year in his native Ireland.

The pop group "U2" who attended the same school as him, wrote a song entitled "Miracle Drug" in his honour. He died at the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin due to an ingestion of food in his airway.

Patrick Christopher O'Connor (known as Christy O'Connor Snr.) was an Irish professional golfer. He was one of the leading golfers on the British and Irish circuit from the mid-1950s.

O'Connor won over 20 tournaments on the British PGA and finished in the top 10 in the Open Championship many times. Later he had considerable success in senior events, twice winning the World Senior Championship. In team events he played in 10 successive Ryder Cup matches and played in 15 Canada Cup/World Cup matches for Ireland, winning the Canada Cup in 1958 in partnership with Harry Bradshaw.

In 1924, O'Connor was born in Knocknacarra, a village in Galway. He caught his first glimpse of golf at the nearby Galway Golf Club, and from the age of 10 spent most of his spare time there. His foray into professional golf began with caddying, first at Galway and then over at Tuam Golf Club.

In 1951, O'Connor turned professional with Tuam members funding his first tournament at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Antrim that same year. His 19th-place finish garnered a membership invitation from Bundoran Golf Club in Donegal, which he accepted.

O'Connor's first professional win was at the Swallow-Penfold Tournament held in 1955, the first £1,000 prize to be offered in British golf. He went on to win the 1956 and 1959 British Masters. In 1958, he helped Ireland to win the Canada Cup in Mexico City playing with Harry Bradshaw. A year later, he moved to Dublin and joined The Royal Dublin Golf Club. Throughout the 1960s he won at least one professional event during each year on the British Tour, a level of consistent success matched by very few other players. O'Connor rarely played professional tournaments outside Britain or Ireland, at one stage saying he forwent playing at the US Masters in Augusta because he couldn't afford to participate.

The only major championship O'Connor played was the Open Championship. He played the event 26 times between 1951 and 1979. His best performance came at the 1965 Open Championship where O'Connor tied for second place with Brian Huggett, two behind five-time winner Peter Thomson. He easily outplayed international stars like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, and Gary Player. He received an astonishing 20 invitations to play the Masters but rejected all of them, citing prohibitive financial costs.

O'Connor played in every Ryder Cup from 1955 to 1973, setting a record of ten appearances in the event which stood until it was surpassed by Nick Faldo in 1997. He was the Irish professional champion on ten occasions, including in 1978 (when he was 53), and was twice (1961 and 1962) recipient of the Vardon Trophy for leading the British Tour's Order of Merit.

In the 1966 Carroll's International at Royal Dublin, O'Connor finished 2-3-3 (eagle-birdie-eagle) to win the tournament by 2 strokes. At the par-4 16th, he drove the green and holed a 20-foot putt. He then holed a 12-foot putt at the 17th and, at the par-5 18th, hit a 3-iron to 8 feet and holed the putt. A plaque by the 16th tee commemorates the achievement. In 1970, he won the John Player Classic, at that time its £25,000 first prize was the richest offered in golf (in those days, even the British Open champion received just a little over £5,000), it made him that season's leading money-winner, although not Order of Merit leader, which was decided by a points system not directly related to prize money.

Later in his career, O'Connor became the leading "senior" (over-50s) professional player of his day, just before the lucrative U.S.-based Senior PGA Tour, now known as the PGA Tour Champions, took off. He won the PGA Seniors Championship six times and the World Senior Championship in 1976 and 1977. O'Connor was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009 in the Veterans category.