Ireland

Sir David Wilkie who later became a well-known painter of historical and religious works as well as portraits, was born near Pitlessie, Fife

Sir David Wilkie RA (18 November 1785 – 1 June 1841) was a Scottish painter, especially known for his genre scenes. He painted successfully in a wide variety of genres, including historical scenes, portraits, including formal royal ones, and scenes from his travels to Europe and the Middle East. His main base was in London, but he died and was buried at sea, off Gibraltar, returning from his first trip to the Middle East. He was sometimes known as the “people’s painter”.

Balloon flight by Italian aeronaut Vincenzo Lunardi from Heriots School, Edinburgh to Ceres in Fife.

Edmond Sexton Pery resigns as Speaker of the Irish parliament on grounds of ill health. John Foster is unanimously elected to replace him

Richard Crosbie’s 3rd Ballon Attempt

Richard Crosbie (1755–1824) was the first Irishman to make a manned flight.

The Irish Academy, later to become the Royal Irish Academy, meets for the first time

James Napper Tandy leading radicals asks for Parliamentary reform for Ireland

James Napper Tandy (February 1739 Dublin – 24 August 1803 Bordeaux, France), known as Napper Tandy, was an Irish revolutionary and a founder of the United Irishmen.

A radical reform congress commences in William Street, Dublin

Sir Richard Griffith, geologist and civil engineer, is born in Dublin

Sir Eyre Coote, the elder, dies of apoplexy at sea off Madras, while being pursued by French ships

First balloon ascent in Britain by James Tytler, Edinburgh.