This week's famous Irishman is St. Columban. St. Columban (540 – 615) was an Irish missionary notable for founding a number of monasteries on the European continent from around 590 in the Frankish and Italian kingdoms, most notably Luxeuil (in present-day France) and Bobbio (Italy), and stands as an exemplar of Irish missionary activity in early medieval Europe. He spread among the Franks a Celtic monastic rule and Celtic penitential practices for those repenting of sins, which emphasized private confession to a priest, followed by penances levied by the priest in reparation for the sin. He is also one of the earliest identifiable Hiberno-Latin writers.
Grace O'Malley (1530 – 1603) also known as Granuaile or Gráinne Mhaol, known in English as Grace O'Malley, is an important figure in Irish folklore, but was in fact a larger-than-life figure from 16th century Irish history. O'Malley is sometimes known as "The Sea Queen Of Connaught". The Irish song "Oró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile" is dedicated to her. Her story is currently being made into a feature film.
Eugene O'Neill (16 October 1888 – 27 November 1953) was an American playwright, and Nobel laureate in Literature. His plays are among the first to introduce into American drama the techniques of realism and were among the first to include speeches in American vernacular.
This week's famous Irishman is Paul Cardinal Cullen. Paul Cardinal Cullen (April 29, 1803–October 24, 1878) was a Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin who became the first Irish cardinal. By training a biblical theologian and scholar of ancient languages, he is best known for his crafting of the formula for papal infallibility at the First Vatican Council. He is largely credited for ushering in the “devotional revolution” experienced in Ireland in the nineteenth century. He advocated Catholic religious education.
This week's famous Irishman is St. Columban.
