Dublin City
Dublin the capital of the Republic of Ireland
celebrated it's millennium in 1988, making
it one of the oldest capitals in Europe.
Its development is attributed to the arrival
of the Norsemen, who first arrived around
the Irish coast in 795. They captured the
port of Dublin around 838. They were finally
driven out at the battle of Clontarf in 1014.
In 1170 Dermot MacMurrough
an exiled king of Leinster, arrived in
Dublin with an Anglo
Norman army and took the town. On seeing
that his a foothold had been gained in Ireland
by the Norman's, Henry II of England arrived
with an army of his own to take control.
This was the beginning
of English domination of Dublin. Dublin
became the centre of
a small strip of land along the eastern
seaboard known as the "Pale". This small
area endured many attempted invasions from
the local native Irish and even a Scottish
invasion.
In 1742 Handel's Messiah was first performed
in a theatre in Dublin.
Phoenix
Park :
A wonderful expanse of ground within
the confines of the city. Home to the
President of Ireland. Some incredible
wildlife, including wild deer.
Trinity College, at College Green houses The Book
ok Kells, a 9th century illuminated manuscript. The Long Hall
which contains over 200,00 of Trinity's oldest books, is where
you will find the Book of Kells, as well as other fine relics
of Ireland's scholarly history.
The National Gallery on Merrion Sq. houses in excess of 13,000 paintings
and drawings. Hugh Lane presented over twenty pictures to the Gallery during
his time as Director. .
The Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Sq. commemorates
the events between 1916 and 1922. The main sculpture is of the
Children of Lir by Oisin Kelly, which was erected in 1966.
Dublin Castle built in 1204 by King John, the castle has
played a large part in Irish history. Today it is a venue for
much of the ceremonial aspects of Irish Political life.
The General Post Office known locally as the G.P.O. located at O’Connell
St. was the headquarters of "The Rising" in 1916.An impressive Graeco-Roman
style portico supported by six Ionic columns.
Guinness Brewery located at Crane St. No visit to Dublin is complete
without a visit to the world famous Guinness Brewery. The brewery was
established in 1876, when Guinness was poised to become the largest brewery
in the world.
