August 17

August 17, 1947

First Edinburgh International Festival opened.

August 17, 1922

RIC is disbanded to be replaced by the Garda Síochána

August 17, 1878

Birth of Oliver St. John Gogarty, writer, and the model for the stately, plump Buck Mulligan in Joyces Ulysses

August 17, 1846

Lord John Russells Whig administration decides not to interfere with internal or export markets for food

August 17, 1822

Visit of George IV to Edinburgh began, orchestrated by Sir Walter Scott.

August 17, 1791

Birth of Richard Lalor Sheil, dramatist and politician; first Catholic privy councillor, in Drumdowney, Co. Kilkenny

August 17, 1786

Birth of Davy Crockett, American frontiersman and son of an Irishman

August 17, 1779

William Corbet, United Irishman and soldier, is born in Ballythomas, Co. Cork

August 17, 1741

George MacKenzie, Scottish patron of books, died.

August 17, 1648

The Battle of Preston