First Edinburgh International Festival opened.
August 17, 1947
RIC is disbanded to be replaced by the Garda Síochána
August 17, 1922
Birth of Oliver St. John Gogarty, writer, and the model for the stately, plump Buck Mulligan in Joyces Ulysses
August 17, 1878
Lord John Russells Whig administration decides not to interfere with internal or export markets for food
August 17, 1846
Birth of Richard Lalor Sheil, dramatist and politician; first Catholic privy councillor, in Drumdowney, Co. Kilkenny
August 17, 1791
George MacKenzie, Scottish patron of books, died.
August 17, 1741
The Battle of Preston
August 17, 1648