History of Dublin

Dublin's history can be traced back to 140 AD, when there was a small settlement beside the River Liffey; however, it was the arrival of the Vikings in 988 AD that marked its true beginning, after they gave the city its name, Dublin, meaning 'Dark Pool'.

The early residents began to develop trade with the surrounding towns, but their settlement was far from secure and they were forced out of Dublin more than once before their final defeat at the Battle of Clontarf, in 1014. There was a period of local rule before the arrival of the English, in 1169.

The English had originally been invited over by a local chief to provide support for his own army and gain control over the city. They soon achieved this and the English king held court at Dublin, after which it established itself as the centre of British influence in Ireland.

The Tudor period

Dublin became a centre of Protestant rule after Elizabeth I used the city as a settlement for Protestant families. The monasteries were dissolved and the churches taken over. Trinity College was built in 1592 by Elizabeth for educating the new ruling class. Much of the city deteriorated towards the end of the 16th century and plague and poverty claimed many lives.

The 17th century was a difficult period for Ireland, as the struggle for control of the English throne played out across the land. After James II was defeated by William of Orange, Catholics were denied the political rights they had been promised and the process of the Anglicisation of Dublin continued.

During the 18th century, Dublin flourished and the Irish parliament won an increasing amount of self-government. There was also a cultural and architectural boom and many of the great terraces and squares of the city date from this period. The Long Library of Trinity College, Marsh's Library, Mansion House and the Royal Exchange (now City Hall) were all constructed at this time, and Dublin Castle underwent extensive restoration.

Independence

The English believed that the Irish had too much independence and introduced the Act of Union in 1801. The Irish parliament ceased to exist and Dublin entered a long economic decline shortly after. The struggle against Home Rule continued, but it wasn't until 1921 that a large part of Ireland finally achieved a limited independence, known as the Irish Free State.

The island was partitioned and six northeastern counties remained a part of the United Kingdom. There was a gradual rebuilding of the city centre, but the new leadership was too focused on nationalism rather than developing a more modern society. In 1947, the country left the Commonwealth and changed its name to the Republic of Ireland.

After joining the Common Market in 1973, Ireland began to prosper as large amounts of money were made available for further development. It now has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, attracting an increasing number of visitors every year.