A Wealth of Irish History in Dublin

Dublin is a vibrant and exciting city with a thriving nightlife that’s become renowned all over the world. There is another side to Dublin though that you may not know about.

Dublin has a rich and colourful history and many of its buildings tell a remarkable story about Ireland through the ages. The origins of the city can be traced back over 1,000 years and was once just a small Viking settlement, a far cry from the bustling city streets of today. There are a number of fascinating places that depict this proud nation’s past.

Where better to start than a visit to Dublin’s oldest building, Christ Church Cathedral, which dates back to the year 1038 and was founded by none other than the first Christian King of the Dublin Norsemen, Sitric Silkenbeard. Here, the ever popular “Treasures of Christ Church” exhibition features a stunning array of historic artefacts that help to paint a vivid picture of what life was once like for Dublin’s residents.

If you’ve ever wondered how Dublin got its name then you need look no further than the garden of Dublin Castle which was once the site of the Black Pool or “Dubh Linn” in Gaelic. A Viking fortress also previously stood on the same site and part of it still remains visible today.

A piece of more recent Irish history can be experienced first hand at Kilmainham Gaol. This prison housed its first inmates back in 1796 and closed its doors less than a hundred years ago in 1924. The opportunity to walk around an unoccupied gaol is certainly one not be missed and you can hear all about the famous names that once spent some time locked up there.

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has certainly lived through many important events in Dublin’s history since it was built in 1191. There is a permanent exhibition at the cathedral called “Living Stones”, which charts the trials and tribulations it’s faced over the last 800 years or more.

Dublin is also home to the oldest University in Ireland, Trinity College. It was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 and houses many historic books, perhaps none more so than the Book of Kells which dates back to the year 800 A.D. and is a truly remarkable illuminated manuscript and a real treasure.

These historic buildings are just a small sample of what Dublin has to offer both amateur and distinguished historians, it also enjoys a fantastic literary past and was home to novelists such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. So when you’re booking flights to Dublin why not extend your trip a little and give yourself time to fully appreciate where this remarkable city started out and how it evolved into the Dublin of today.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.