Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the corner of Mary and Abbey Street, a monastery once existed. Today, you will no
longer see the original majestic structure as it was brought down during the 15th century.
Its stones and materials were used to build other structures in the city. However inside one
of the edifices in its exact location is one of the original chambers of the monastery, the
Chapter House, reputed to be one of Dublin's best kept secrets.
Despite all its changes, the city still holds many clues to its historic past. The road to dis-
covery will further be unveiled as you view the landmarks of the then and now, allowing
Dublin to tell the stories hidden in its nook and crannies. Don't be surprised to find yourself
simply sitting in one of the parks and imagining how Dublin looked a thousand years ago.
Today, as a young city, with 40% of its population below the age of 30, this is a place with
a young, tenacious populace that has an infectious vibe of positivity and fun. The mood
is vibrant and exciting with an ever-growing economic resurgence as the biggest global
names and players in the information technology fields including Google, Facebook, Twit-
ter, LinkedIn, AOL, eBay, Microsoft, Amazon and Yahoo, have set up their headquarters
here.
History
To understand Dublin, it helps to know the city's origins and how it came into existence.
Early Dublin is a far cry from what you see now however traces of the past can still be seen
in some parts of the city, echoing of days gone by. Dublin was initially inhabited by the Vik-
ings in 841, a boat-riding people who originated from Denmark and Norway. The earliest
settlement called Dyflin or Duiblinn in Irish was erected, which means “black pool” refer-
ring to a black tidal pool where the River Poddle entered the Liffey River. Viking houses
were very simple, made of wooden materials, with no chimneys nor windows, perhaps
to maintain the temperature inside. Many of the Vikings were craftsmen like blacksmiths
and carpenters, jewelers and leather workers. As a result there were several industries that
thrived during their time. The Danes (Vikings inhabitants of Dublin) were slowly converted
into Christianity with the first Bishop being appointed in 1028. The Vikings ruled Dublin
for almost three centuries until they were defeated by the Irish in 1014.
Then Dublin became the center of English power in Ireland in 1169-71. During the Medi-
eval years from 1171 onwards, Dublin was a tightly knit place with around 5,000 to 10,000
people. Strongbow, the Earl of Pembroke, a Norman (Vikings who settled in Northern
France) helped the English rulers to capture Dublin in 1171. Between 1172 and 1191, the
Cathedral of Christchurch was rebuilt. In 1190, Dublin was devastated by fire but was soon
rebuilt. The Normans built a wooden fortress in Dublin and in the early 13th century, it was
rebuilt in stone strengthening the walls surrounding the castle.
