Events in the year 1908 in Ireland. Events February – Republican leader Tom Clarke opened a tobacconist shop in Dublin under the name of T. S. Ó'Cléirigh which became a centre for Irish Republican Brotherhood activity. 17 February – A statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled at Leinster House in Dublin. 19 April – The Guildhall in Londonderry was largely destroyed by fire. 19 May – Work began on a monument to Charles Stewart Parnell in Upper Sackville Street, Dublin. 31 July – The Irish Universities Act received Royal Assent in the Parliament of the UK. This led to the establishment of the National University of Ireland and Queen's University of Belfast. 8 September – Patrick Pearse opened St. Enda's School to offer a bilingual secondary education for boys at Cullenswood House in Ranelagh. It later moved to the Hermitage, Rathfarnham. 11 November – The Irish Women's Franchise League was formed, with Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington as secretary. 29 December – The Irish Transport Workers' Union was formed, with James Larkin as general secretary. Arts and literature January – Hugh Lane founded the Dublin City Gallery in Harcourt Street, the world's first to display only modern art. 1 December – Cuala Press produced its first publication, Poetry and Ireland: essays by W. B. Yeats and Lionel Johnson. Terence MacSwiney, T. C. Murray, Con O'Leary and Daniel Corkery founded the Cork Dramatic Society. John Millington Synge's only comedic play, The Tinker's Wedding, was published. Filson Young's novel When the Tides Turn was published. Sport 1908 Summer Olympics (London): Ireland competed as a separate country in field hockey and polo and won silver medals in both. Association football International 15 February – Ireland 1–3 England (in Belfast) 14 March – Ireland 0–5 Scotland (in Dublin) 11 April – Wales 0–1 Ireland (in Aberdare) Irish League Winners: Linfield F.C. Irish Cup Winners: Bohemian F.C. 1–1 draw; replay result 3–1 Shelbourne F.C. Golf The golf course at Royal County Down Golf Club was modified by Harry Vardon, and Edward VII bestowed royal patronage on the club. Births 20 February – Florence Wycherley, independent Teachta Dála (TD) (died 1969). 23 February – Jim Ware, Waterford hurler (died 1983). 10 March – Patrick Shanahan, Fianna Fáil party TD (died 2000). 27 April – Patrick Shea, Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (died 1986 in Northern Ireland). 5 May – Mary Elmes, humanitarian (died 2002 in France).