In a study published late December in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have found 10 genetic groupings that mirror the ancient and medieval boundaries of Irish kingdoms: Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connacht. The study was explored by a team of Irish, American, and British scientists that analyzed data from 194 Irish people with four generations of ancestry tied to … [Read more...] about Mapping Irish DNA
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Ireland to Recognize Preferred Gender Pronouns in Registry of Foreign Births
In December, Ireland took further steps to grant equality to transgender citizens by introducing policy designed to formally recognize naturalized citizens of the Republic’s preferred names and gender identity through the establishment of a register of gender recognition of foreign births. In a statement, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney said, … [Read more...] about Ireland to Recognize Preferred Gender Pronouns in Registry of Foreign Births
Uilleann Pipes Acknowledged by UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved recognition of uilleann piping as an element of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” in early December. After initiating the application process in March 2016, the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht worked tirelessly for over a year to ensure the acceptance of … [Read more...] about Uilleann Pipes Acknowledged by UNESCO
Ireland’s First Astronaut Ready to Take Flight
Ever since Dr. Norah Patten visited NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, as a child, she knew she wanted to be an astronaut. Twenty-three years later, the Mayo-born adventurer was selected as one of 12 scientists to train as an astronaut as part of Project PoSSUM, an astronautics research and education program that studies the Earth’s upper atmosphere and its role … [Read more...] about Ireland’s First Astronaut Ready to Take Flight
Eimear McBride Takes on Fellowship at Samuel Beckett Research Centre
Award-winning Irish novelist Eimear McBride (right) has been named the inaugural recipient of the University of Reading Samuel Beckett Research Center Creative Fellowship, which provides exclusive access to Beckett’s archives. McBride, whose debut novel A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing won the Goldsmiths Prize in 2013 and the 2014 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, will research … [Read more...] about Eimear McBride Takes on Fellowship at Samuel Beckett Research Centre