1751 – The foundation stone of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, is laid by the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

1790 – The “Gentleman’s Magazine” reports, regarding the MP for Cork, James Bernard who died on this date: ‘Though he had an immense fortune, he did not live at the rate of £300 a year. His tailor’s bill never amounted to £61 per annum. He did not absolutely starve himself to death, as he lately showed himself a mere voluptuary, having a few months since married a fortunate girl of tender years, to whose tender embraces, it is feared, he fell a sacrifice’.

1797 – Death of the political theorist Edmund Burke in Dublin. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of parliamentary democracy.

1809 – Birth of John O’Donovan, Irish language scholar and author of The Annals of the Four Masters, in Attateemore, Co Kilkenny.

1917 – Muriel MacDonagh, wife of executed 1916 leader Thomas MacDonagh, drowns while swimming on Skerries south beach. Muriel disappeared under the water and her body was later recovered and the coroner determined that she died of heart failure due to shock or exhaustion, during her swim.

1921 – Four British Soldiers are captured and executed at Ellis Quarry, Cork City, Co Cork by IRA.

1921 – Truce terms were signed in Dublin, to be effective on 11 July.

1921 – Filling in a trenched area at Kilgobnet, just north of Dungarvan, six civilians were killed when a secretly buried British mine exploded. The device was reportedly planted on orders of Captain Thomas of the Dungarvan Buffs. Thomas had, earlier at the mid March Burgery Ambush, been captured and released on orders of Seoirise Plunkett, GHQ Officer.

1922 – The Free State barracks in Bailieboro, Cavan is attacked and taken, the arms of its garrison are seized. An anti-Treaty prisoner, Edward Boylans is shot dead in Cavan barracks as he tries to escape.

1943 – In a Dáil Éireann debate on The Emergency Powers Act which was primarily designed to curtail IRA activity, independent TD Oliver Flanagan unleashed an astonishing attack on Jews.

1959 – Mary Browne from Roscommon becomes the first Bhan Gardaí – female police officer – pounding the beat in Dublin.

1959 – Birth of Matt Connor, Offaly Gaelic footballer.

1967 – Birth of Michael Carruth, a southpaw Irish Olympic boxer from Dublin who won the welterweight gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Carruth has just finished a stint as expert boxing analyst for RTÉs Olympic coverage. He is currently involved in the GAA, being a masseur to the Westmeath senior football team.

1968 – Dáil Éireann discusses the vital topic of the retail price of Irish whiskey. George Colley, Minister for Industry and Commerce tells the country that “three complaints (including one anonymous complaint) were received in my Department this year regarding overcharging in licensed premises for Irish whiskey.”

1972 – Springhill Massacre: British snipers shot dead five Catholic civilians and wounded two others in Springhill, Belfast.

2007 – Following a short illness, Former Tanaiste John Wilson passes away at St Jame’s Hospital, a day after his 84th birthday. He was a TD for 20 years and held posts in seven government departments, serving under three Taoisigh: Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds. On the sportsfield, he played for Cavan and an illustrious career brought him significant honours, including two All-Ireland medals (in 1947 and 1948) and five Ulster Football Championship medals.

2015 – Death of Seán Foran. He was a footballer who played as a midfielder for the Offaly senior team. Born in Edenderry, Co Offaly, Foran first excelled at football during his schooling at St. Mary’s Knockbeg College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Offaly minor team. He made his senior debut during the 1949 championship. Foran immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won one Leinster medal.

Photo: Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains | Stair na hÉireann/History of Ireland

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