A hard-working farmer and a talented musician, Henry McErlean was a true gentleman with a strong faith and gentle sense of humour.

PROFESSOR John Coolahan has been described as the "father of Irish education".

“I don’t believe that Ireland has yet been born.

THE Irish word ‘meitheal’ describes the old rural tradition where neighbours come together to help with each other’s farming work, be it the bog, the hay or other crops.

LIAM McQuaid was elected a councillor before he was even old enough to vote.

IRENE Hynds was 11 years old when she knew she wanted to be a teacher.

LIAM Devally's remarkable life in the spotlight saw him sing on the Ed Sullivan Show in America, present one of RTÉ's most popular TV programmes, and serve as a bilingual barrister and judge in the Irish courts.

UNA Boylan's acting life began when she was just one year old.