1756        foundation of the Catholic Association by Dublin businessmen
1761        Burke's Tract on the Popery Laws
1760s       emergence of the Patriot party in the Irish parliament
1760        foundation of the broadly based Catholic Committee
1776        outbreak of the American Revolution
1778        France enters the war on the side of the Americans
                formation of Volunteer regiments throughout Ireland
                Catholic Relief Act (rights of inheritance and leaseholding)
1779        the Volunteers achieve free trade
1782        the Volunteers number 60,000
                Volunteer Convention at Dungannon seeks Irish legislative independence
                establishment of "Grattan's Parliament"
                Catholic Relief Act (land purchase; education)
1783        a Volunteer National Convention draws up a detailed plan for parliamentary reform
1784        splits in the Volunteer movement (primarily over reform)
1789        outbreak of the French Revolution
1790        Catholic Committee becomes increasingly politicized
1791        Aug - Tone's An Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland
                Oct - foundation of the Society of United Irishmen in Belfast
                Nov - foundation of the Dublin branch of the SUI
1792-3     Defender violence throughout north Leinster and south Ulster
1792        Jan - first edition of the Northern Star published in Belfast
                Apr - Catholic Relief Act (practice law)
                Jul - Bastille Day celebrations in Belfast involving Volunteers
                Jul - Tone becomes leader of the Catholic Committee
                Dec - Dublin United Irishmen call for the revival of the Volunteers
                Dec - the Catholic Committee organizes the Catholic Convention (48 of the 231 delegates are United Irishmen)
1793        Feb - Britain enters the war against France
                Feb - Third Dungannon Convention of the Volunteers (inspired by the United Irishmen, but rejects emancipation)
                Feb - Gunpowder Act
                Apr - Catholic Relief Act (voting and officeholding) and dissolution of the Catholic Committee
                Apr - Militia Act
                Aug - Convention Act leads to the disbanding of the Volunteers
1794        Feb - publication of the Dublin SUI's plan for parliamentary reform, including universal male suffrage
                Apr - arrest of William Jackson
                May - initial government suppression of the SUI
                Jul - Northern United Irish Society becomes an oath-bound, mass-based secret society
1795        May - Ulster United Irishmen meet secretly and adopt a new constitution; all existing clubs follow suit
                Jun - Catholic Relief Act (permits establishment of Catholic seminary)
                Jun - Tone in exile in America
                Sep - Battle of the Diamond; founding of the Orange Order
1795-6    alliances between United Irishmen and Defenders
1796        Feb - Tone in France
                Mar - Insurrection Act
                Jul - first Orange parades commemorating the Battle of the Boyne
                Sep- suppression of Northern Star; arrests of United Irishmen
                Oct - suspension of habeas corpus
                Dec - Hoche expedition to Ireland
1797        government suppression of the SUI
1798        Mar - many United Irish leaders arrested
                May - outbreak of rebellion in Leinster
                Jun - outbreak of violence in Ulster
                Jun - defeat of Wexford insurgents at Vinegar Hill
                Aug - General Humbert lands in Ireland
                Sep - surrender of Humbert
                Nov - arrest and suicide of Tone