History

A brief history of Dublin, Ireland. Written by Tim Lambert.

Dublin was founded by the Vikings on the south bank of the Liffey in 841. It was called Dubh Linn, which means black pool. The new town of Dublin was fortified with a ditch and an earth rampart with a wooden palisade on top. In the late 11th stone walls were built around Dublin. The Danes also erected an artificial hill where the men of Dublin met to make laws and discuss policy.

In Viking Dublin living conditions were primitive. The houses were wooden huts with thatched roofs. None of them had chimneys or glass windows. In Dublin, there were craftsmen like blacksmiths and carpenters, jewelers, and leather workers. Other craftsmen made things like combs from bone or deer antlers. There was also a wool weaving industry. In Dublin, there was also a slave trade.

The Danes were slowly converted to Christianity and the first Bishop of Dublin was appointed in 1028. In his time the first Christchurch Cathedral was built. In the wars between Irishmen and Vikings, the little town of Dublin was sacked several times. Yet each time it recovered. Dublin soon grew to be the largest and most important town in Ireland. It may have had a population of 4,000 in the 11th century. By the late 11th century there was a suburb of Dublin north of the Liffey.

What makes Dublin great

• Music is a massive part of Irish culture, so you'll come across plenty of street performers along the main shopping streets.
• Dublin has 772 pubs. That means you're never too far away to have a drink or a meal.
• Green spaces are scattered around Dublin city. In particular, Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed park is a short walk from the centre.
• Dublin is home to some of the top world-class entertainment venues.
• Some of the best pints of Guinness can be found in pubs around Dublin.
• People from Dublin have been named some of the friendliest in the entire world.