Death of Robin Downes

Birth of Dr. William Drennan in Belfast; physician, poet, educationalist political radical

Birth of William Murdoch who pioneered the use of coal-gas lighting in, 1792 in partnership with James Watt and Mathew Boulton.

Death of Robin Downes, Member of Parliament for Kildare, occurs under mysterious and violent circumstances. As reported by Thomas Waite, the Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in a letter:

“Yesterday morning Robin Downes, Member for Kildare, was found in his parlour in his house in Dawson Street with a sword run through his body. There are hopes of his recovery. He himself says… that he received it in a duel.”

Though initially there was hope for his survival, Downes ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The event underscores the prevalence of dueling culture among 18th-century Irish politicians and gentry, a practice often tied to honour disputes and political tensions of the time.