Some remarkable anniversaries for August in Irish history

August 1800 - The Act of Union was passed dissolving the Irish Parliament and creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Act remained on the statutes in Ireland until 1962.

August 1870 - Gladstone's first Land Act passed introducing some limited land reforms. It gave force of law to the 'Ulster Custom', provided compensation for evicted tenants and allowed tenants to borrow from Government to buy their holdings.

August 1916 - The final leader of the 1916 Rising, Roger Casement was hanged for treason in Pentonville Prison. His trial led to a re-interpretation of the Treason Act which led to the accusation that Casement was 'hanged on a comma'.

August 1922 - General Michael Collins was killed in an IRA ambush at Beal na mBlath in Co Cork while on a journey from Bandon to Macroom.