August

Sectarian rioting in Belfast which began on August 15 continues through this date

August 20, 1872

The Irish Republican Brotherhood Supreme Council withdraws its support from the Home Rule movement

August 20, 1876

Death of Ellen Kean, one of the greatest actresses of her time

August 20, 1880

Ronald Ross, the first Scot to win a Nobel prize (in, 1902) dissected a mosquito and established the link with malaria.

August 20, 1897

The Irish Republican Army is established by the Dail Eireann

August 20, 1919

The Currency Act establishes a separate currency for the Irish Free State

August 20, 1927

Battle of Dunkeld when the newly formed Cameronians defended the town against, 3,000 Highlanders.

August 21, 1689

Birth of William Murdoch who pioneered the use of coal-gas lighting in, 1792 in partnership with James Watt and Mathew Boulton.

August 21, 1754

Birth of the word quiz (allegedly and disputed). Richard Daly, a theatre proprietor in Dublin, makes a bet that within 48 hours he can introduce a new word into the English language.

August 21, 1791

The story goes that a Dublin theatre proprietor by the name of Richard Daly made a bet that he could, within forty-eight hours, make a nonsense word known throughout the city, and that the public …

Last ever Donnybrook Fair, held in Dublin since 1204. The general uproar of the annual event results in its suspension

August 21, 1855

Birth in Belfast of Frederick Crawford, militant unionist and organizer of Larne gun-running

August 21, 1861

A Vision of the Virgin Mary is witnessed by 15 villagers in Knock, Co. Mayo

August 21, 1879