The Bank of Ireland is officially established in Dublin by Royal Charter granted by King George III. It begins operations and issues its first banknotes on this date.
At the time, the Irish pound was worth approximately £12–13 sterling, reflecting significant currency disparity between Irish and British monetary systems.
The bank’s founding marks a pivotal moment in Irish financial history, serving as both a commercial bank and later (1808–1976) as the de facto state bank, including a long-term residence in the old Irish Parliament building on College Green.