Thomas McElwee, Irish polictical prisoner, dies on hunger strike in Maze prison, Northern Ireland.
August 8, 1981
The Civic Guard is renamed the Garda Siochana
August 8, 1923
James Gandon moves from London to Dublin; the first stone of his Customs House is laid on this date
August 8, 1781
The Spanish Armada is defeated by the English
August 8, 1588