Published by admin on 21 Nov 2007 at 08:16 am
History of Dublin:
From it’s beginnings over 1000 years ago, Dublin city has become one of Europe’s most well known cities and thousands of visitors flock here every year for it’s friendliness, beauty, charm and fun.
Dublin’s official date of establishment is 988 but there is evidence that there was a settlement here back in the 2nd century when it was named Eblana. Many old artefacts of the first Norman Vikings have been found at the first site at the present day Wood Quay, situated in the city centre.
In the 9th Century, the town was captured by the Danes. The fighting irish wrestled control od Dublin on a number of occassions notably in 1052, 1075 and1124. In 1171 the Anglo-Normans, led by Henry II expelled the Danes.
Until the middle of the 17th century, Dublin remained a small, walled medieval town. In 1649 the town was taken over by Oliver Cromwell. There were 9,000 residents and the town was in a state of disrepair. By the end of the 17th century, however, there was a huge surge in the growth of Dublin. Many protestant refugees from around Europe poured into Dublin. Over the next century, Dublin grew hugely and became the second city of the British Empire. This madew Dublin an exciting city for the Protestant Ascendancy. In 1800 the Act of Union abolished Dublin’s parliament and immeadiately reduced Dublin status. A long decline set in and only started to reverse after Ireland got it’s independance in 1922 after severe fighting at the Easter Uprising of 1916 and the revolution of 1919 to 1921, which resulted in the establishment of the Irish Free State.
After independance Dublin became the political, economical, and cultural centre of Ireland. South of the river is Dublin Castle which was built in 1204 and almost totally rebuilt in the 18th century. Today is the site of the inaugurations of the presidents of Ireland. Near the castle are Christ Church and Saint Patrick’s, Dublin’s two protestant cathedrals. Both date from Dublin’s earliest days as a Viking settlement.
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