myspace graphics & layoutsI am the capital city of Ireland and I am to be found on the banks of the River Liffey on the east coast of Ireland.
I was founded officially in the year 988 AD, but people had been living along my banks for many years before that.
Dublin gets its name from Dubhlinn, which means "black pool" (linn dubh) in Irish. The "black pool" was the spot where the River Poddle entered the River Liffey.The Irish name for Dublin is Baile Atha Cliath which means
"the town of the ford of the hurdles". It comes from an important ford which was built across the River Liffey before the the 6th century.
St.Patrick is said to have visited Dublin in the 5th century AD and converted people to Christianity.
The Vikings
In the late 8th century The Vikings ventured out of Scandinavia to raid and plunder foreign lands. Towards the end of the 8th century, the first Vikings attacked Ireland. By the 830s they were running amok.In AD841 The Vikings built a fortress near where Christchurch Cathedral stands today. From this base they continued their raids inland.In AD902 they were forced to flee by a group of Irish Kings to Scotland and Wales.In AD917 The Vikings returned to reestablish themselves at the "black pool" and called their settlement Dyflinn.
Dublin became an important trading centre to The Vikings and crafts such as weaving,tanning,shipbuilding and bronzework prospered. They intermarried with the Native Irish and established themselves well.On Good Friday the 23rd of April 1014 The Vikings were defeated alongside the King of Leinster by Brian Boru, King of Munster at "The battle of Clontarf".
The Normans
In 1169 the Normans arrived in Wexford, after the former King of Leinster Dermot McMurrough sought help from King Henry 2nd, to try and regain his power.
King Henry II (1133-1189)
The most famous Norman was Richard De Clare known as "Strongbow".An agreement was struck that he would marry Dermot's daughter Aoife and succeed her father upon his death.
In 1170 the Normans took control of Dublin.
In 1171 Dermot McMurrough died and Strongbow succeeded him.Dublin was granted it's first charter during this time. The Normans started building and some of my oldest buildings were constructed. Christchurch Cathedral, St.Patrick's Cathedral in 1190,Dublin Castle in 1210 and the City Walls.
The following years were an "Ancient Celtic Tiger" for Dublin, with The Normans in full control of Dublin Life and the Gaelic Irish not allowed a lookin.
Outside Dublin's walls, the area became known as "The Pale" and here the Normans didn't have a foothold, as the Irish Chieftans still ruled. The Normans who settled outside Dublin intermarried and adapted to Irish ways, and spoke the native language. In Dublin the opposite was the case.
The 1300's
The 1300's were an unsettling time for Dublin.In 1317 Dublin was badly destroyed by fire in an attempt by the Mayor to stop an attack by Robert Bruce from Scotland.
There was also famine to contend with.
In 1338 the Black Death arrived, and half of Dublin's population died.
The1400's
Christchurch Cathedral.
On 24 May 1487 a young boy called Lambert Simnel was crowned King Edward VI in Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin by Garret Mor Fitzgerald of Kildare, the lord deputy of Ireland. It was a plot by English and Irish nobles to overthrow Henry VII.
He is defeated by Henry VII at Stoke on 16 June 1487. Thomas Fitzgerald the brother of Garret Mor was killed in battle. Henry VII left Garret Mor as lord deputy of Ireland.
The 1500's
On 11th of June 1534 Thomas Fitzgerald (known as Silken Thomas) rode to Dublin as he got false information that his father Garret Og (son of Garret Mor Fitzgerald) had been hung in London. garret Mor had travelled to London after being invited by King Henry VIII.
he stormed into St.Mary's Abbey where the King's council was meeting. He flung his sword upon the table and swore himself an enemy of King Henry VIII. His revolt lasted for over a year before he surrendered on 24 August 1536.
On 3 Feburary 1537 Tomas was executed along with his five Uncles.
1537 - Henry VIII (who had broken away from Rome) ordered all Irish monasteries to be closed.
1538 - Religious relics were burnt in a large bonfire outside Christchurch Cathedral. More settlers arrived from England during these years and as a result Dublin became more Protestant.
1592 - Trinity College was founded on land that was belong to All Hallows Priory, before The Reformation.
1664
St.Stephen's Green was developed.
1680
The building of The Royal Hospital Kilmainham commenced. It was designed by Sir William Robinson and took 4 years to build. The style was based on Les Invalides in Paris. It was a home for retired soldiers for 250 years. In 1986 the Irish goverment restored the building and in 1991 it opened as the Irish Museum of Modern Art
More To Follow......I'm an ancient old city and I am only just getting to grips with all these new computor thingys!
Film: "It's A Beautiful Day In Dublin"
This is a beautiful film promoting all thats wonderful about this famous City. If you have never visited Dublin, you will get a feel for the place by watching this.
Dublin Postcards
Liberty Hall - View of Dublin City, from Dublin's tallest building.
You've been marked on my visitor map! Click to zoom in.
Comedy: "U2"
This is a spoof of U2 performed by a very popular comedy act known as Apres Match. Apres Match consists of Barry Murphy,Risteard Cooper and Gary Cooke, all very popular comedians in their own right. Apres Match started off doing spoof half time acts on Irish National Television, during big football matches.People watch football games to see Apres Match as well as the football!!! They have branched out into the world of Rugby, Politics and all Irish and British (mostly well known football Celebrities) are given the Apres Match treatment.
