Samantha Barry’s ascent through broadcast news has been both incredibly quick and successful, as Patrick Kelleher writes in this extract from part three of our special magazine with the Irish Independent.

The extraordinary Margaret Bulkley lived most of her life as a male surgeon who rose to the top of the British medical establishment, writes Patrick Kelleher

The story of Christian Cavanagh is one of love, deception and (mis)adventure, and like all good love stories it contains plenty of drama, a disappearance, adultery and a female soldier masquerading as a man in order to find her husband.

The true story of Annie Moore, the first person processed through Ellis Island, 125 years ago today.

Deirdre Gogarty’s fight to get to the ring.

How the daughter of Irish Famine refugees played a part in India’s drive for independence.

Mari Steed’s story to trace her Irish roots is unfortunately all too familiar.