Dublin History Walk
A detailed reconstruction of Dublin as it appeared in 841 AD, showcasing the early Viking settlement along the River Liffey.
Viking Dublin: Where the River Met the Raiders
In 841 AD, Viking settlers established a fortified encampment, or longphort, along the River Liffey's southern bank, laying the foundation for what would become Dublin. This early settlement served as a strategic base for trade, raids, and further expansion into the Irish hinterland.
The initial Viking presence in Dublin was marked by the construction of defensive structures, including earthen embankments and wooden palisades, to protect against both rival Viking factions and indigenous Irish forces. The settlement quickly evolved into a bustling hub of commerce, with artisans, traders, and warriors contributing to its growth.
Archaeological excavations, particularly at sites like Wood Quay, have unearthed remnants of Viking Dublin, revealing well-preserved artifacts such as weapons, tools, and everyday household items. These findings offer invaluable insights into the daily lives of Dublin's early inhabitants and underscore the city's significance during the Viking Age.
Today, modern Dublin retains echoes of its Viking heritage, with street names, archaeological sites, and cultural events commemorating this pivotal chapter in the city's history. source
Dublin Bay from 1693 - The bay was treacherous for ships because of the presence of the large sandbanks, the north and south Bulls, and the Dublin Bar which lay across the main channel - source
It is generally accepted that Dublin was little more than a monastic settlement until the Norse invasion in the 8th and 9th centuries when they selected the Liffey Estuary as their point of entry to the country as it provided relatively easy access to the central plains of Ireland. Trading with England and Europe followed which required port facilities so the development of Dublin Port is inextricably linked to the development of Dublin City.
The original Port of Dublin was situated upriver, a few miles from it’s current location near the modern Civic Offices at Wood Quay and close to Christchurch Cathedral.
It is generally accepted that Dublin was little more than a monastic settlement until the Norse invasion in the 8th and 9th centuries when they selected the Liffey Estuary as their point of entry to the country as it provided relatively easy access to the central plains of Ireland. Trading with England and Europe followed which required port facilities so the development of Dublin Port is inextricably linked to the development of Dublin City.
The original Port of Dublin was situated upriver, a few miles from it’s current location near the modern Civic Offices at Wood Quay and close to Christchurch Cathedral.
The port remained close to that area until the new Custom House opened in the 1790s. In medieval times Dublin shipped cattle hides to Britain and the continent, and the returning ships carried wine, pottery and other goods. source
CHQ was constructed around 1820 to a design by John Rennie, who was also responsible for the Tobacco Docks in London as well as Howth harbour and Dun Laoghaire harbour. The ground floor, intended for the storage of tobacco, has brick external walls enclosing a vast space of approximately 7000sq m with a sophisticated cast iron frame supporting a slated roof and glazed lantern lights. The basement vaults comprise stone walls and brick arches designed for wine storage. No wood was used in the construction to ensure it was absolutely fireproof. The building has had a great variety of uses, most notably in 1856 when it was used for a banquet for 3000 veterans of the Crimean War.
CHQ now houses the EPIC Museum of Irish Diaspora around the world. Browse through an online collection and follow the fascinating stories of the Irish around the world, past and present here: EPIC
CHQ now houses the EPIC Museum of Irish Diaspora around the world. Browse through an online collection and follow the fascinating stories of the Irish around the world, past and present here: EPIC
the Jeannie Johnston and the Coffin Ships
The ship made a voyage from County Kerry to Quebec on 24 April 1848, with 193 emigrants on board, as the effects of the Great Famine ravaged Ireland. Between 1848 and 1855, the Jeanie Johnston made 16 voyages to North America, sailing to Quebec, Baltimore, and New York. Despite the number of passengers and the long voyage, no crew or passenger lives were ever lost on board the Jeanie Johnston. This is generally attributed to the captain, James Attridge, not overloading the ship, and the presence of a qualified doctor, Richard Blennerhassett, on board for the passengers. This lack of mortality contrasted sharply with coffin ships that carried many other Irish immigrants.
The Great Famine hit Ireland in 1845 and lasted until 1852. The failure of the potato crop and the rise in food prices led to starvation and disease, which killed between 1 and 1.5 million people and forced another 1 million people to flee the country. By the time the famine ended Ireland had lost ¼ of its population. source
The ship made a voyage from County Kerry to Quebec on 24 April 1848, with 193 emigrants on board, as the effects of the Great Famine ravaged Ireland. Between 1848 and 1855, the Jeanie Johnston made 16 voyages to North America, sailing to Quebec, Baltimore, and New York. Despite the number of passengers and the long voyage, no crew or passenger lives were ever lost on board the Jeanie Johnston. This is generally attributed to the captain, James Attridge, not overloading the ship, and the presence of a qualified doctor, Richard Blennerhassett, on board for the passengers. This lack of mortality contrasted sharply with coffin ships that carried many other Irish immigrants.
The Great Famine hit Ireland in 1845 and lasted until 1852. The failure of the potato crop and the rise in food prices led to starvation and disease, which killed between 1 and 1.5 million people and forced another 1 million people to flee the country. By the time the famine ended Ireland had lost ¼ of its population. source
Famine Memorial - Custom House Quay
James Connolly was an Irish republican and socialist leader. Very deeply involved in socialism and nationalist causes throughout his adult life, Connolly was the founding editor of The Socialist newspaper and was among the founders of the Socialist Labour Party. Alongside Patrick Pearse, Connolly commanded the insurrection in Easter of that year from rebel garrison holding Dublin's General Post Office.
During the Easter Uprising in 1916, he was badly injured and was told that he had one or two days to live. Despite this, the British continued with the execution order. As he was unable to stand before the firing squad, he was carried to the courtyard on a stretcher, tied to a chair and then shot.
This was a turning point of the revolution, as the news of the executions was not well received. Even in Britain. The prime minister ordered that no more executions were to take place and it brought much sympathy to the Irish Nationalism cause. source
During the Easter Uprising in 1916, he was badly injured and was told that he had one or two days to live. Despite this, the British continued with the execution order. As he was unable to stand before the firing squad, he was carried to the courtyard on a stretcher, tied to a chair and then shot.
This was a turning point of the revolution, as the news of the executions was not well received. Even in Britain. The prime minister ordered that no more executions were to take place and it brought much sympathy to the Irish Nationalism cause. source
Women's Workers Union - Liberty Hall
1913 Lockout and Strike
Around 1913 in Dublin, the infant mortality rate among the poor was 142 per 1,000 births, extraordinarily high for a European city. The situation was made considerably worse by the high rate of disease in the slums, which was worsened by the lack of health care and cramped living conditions.
The 1913 Dublin Lockout lasted from August to January 1914. There was widespread hunger and poverty in Dublin at the time. Rosie, along with other members of the IWWU, worked tirelessly during the Lockout providing the strikers with basic food and moral sup sort. The women set up a soup kitchen in Liberty Hall. The women's union were responsible for achieving the two-week holidays we enjoy today.
The strike led to the formation of the Irish Citizens Army which later fought in the 1916 revolution.
Around 1913 in Dublin, the infant mortality rate among the poor was 142 per 1,000 births, extraordinarily high for a European city. The situation was made considerably worse by the high rate of disease in the slums, which was worsened by the lack of health care and cramped living conditions.
The 1913 Dublin Lockout lasted from August to January 1914. There was widespread hunger and poverty in Dublin at the time. Rosie, along with other members of the IWWU, worked tirelessly during the Lockout providing the strikers with basic food and moral sup sort. The women set up a soup kitchen in Liberty Hall. The women's union were responsible for achieving the two-week holidays we enjoy today.
The strike led to the formation of the Irish Citizens Army which later fought in the 1916 revolution.
O'Connell Street after the Easter Rising 1916
Easter Rising and Irish Independance
On Easter Monday 1916, Irish nationalists launched an armed revolt against British rule in Ireland. Although quickly suppressed by the British Army, the rising was a seminal moment in modern Irish history, helping pave the way to the nation's independence in 1922. The Easter Rising took place against a backdrop of increased political tension. This was caused by British reluctance to implement Home Rule - enacted by the 1914 Government of Ireland Act - and their assertion that it could only be done if military conscription was also introduced to Ireland.
The revolt came as something of a shock to the British. Their intelligence mistakenly believed the plot had been postponed following the Royal Navy’s recent interception of smuggled German weapons. Martial law was declared across Ireland, but the fighting was largely confined to Dublin. It focused around the General Post Office (GPO) building, where the rebels proclaimed the establishment of the Irish Republic. It is worth noting that today 170 countries celebrate independance from England. source
On Easter Monday 1916, Irish nationalists launched an armed revolt against British rule in Ireland. Although quickly suppressed by the British Army, the rising was a seminal moment in modern Irish history, helping pave the way to the nation's independence in 1922. The Easter Rising took place against a backdrop of increased political tension. This was caused by British reluctance to implement Home Rule - enacted by the 1914 Government of Ireland Act - and their assertion that it could only be done if military conscription was also introduced to Ireland.
The revolt came as something of a shock to the British. Their intelligence mistakenly believed the plot had been postponed following the Royal Navy’s recent interception of smuggled German weapons. Martial law was declared across Ireland, but the fighting was largely confined to Dublin. It focused around the General Post Office (GPO) building, where the rebels proclaimed the establishment of the Irish Republic. It is worth noting that today 170 countries celebrate independance from England. source
Cú Chulainn in the GPO
Cú Chulainn; from ancient mythology to modern revolution
The son of the warrior god Lugh and the mortal woman Deichtine, young Cú Chulainn ('the hound of Culann') won his name after killing the smith Culann's fierce hound in self-defence, and offering his services as a guard dog in its place. In the Táin he is described as a handsome youth with vari-coloured hair - 'brown at the base, blood-red in the middle, and a crown of golden yellow' - and seven fingers and toes on each hand and foot.
Éamon de Valera, who came to power in the Irish Free State in 1932, always understood the power of his status as the senior surviving leader of the Easter Rising of 1916. It was he who chose Oliver Sheppard’s sculpture to serve as the official memorial to the Rising in the run-up to its 20th anniversary. At the elaborate unveiling ceremony in the General Post Office in Dublin on April 21st, 1935, he described the work as “a beautiful piece of sculpture, the creation of Irish genius, symbolising the dauntless courage and abiding constancy of our people”.
For more on Irish mythology:
Irish Legends, Myths and Gods Irish Mythology: 12 Old Irish Myths and Legends
The son of the warrior god Lugh and the mortal woman Deichtine, young Cú Chulainn ('the hound of Culann') won his name after killing the smith Culann's fierce hound in self-defence, and offering his services as a guard dog in its place. In the Táin he is described as a handsome youth with vari-coloured hair - 'brown at the base, blood-red in the middle, and a crown of golden yellow' - and seven fingers and toes on each hand and foot.
Éamon de Valera, who came to power in the Irish Free State in 1932, always understood the power of his status as the senior surviving leader of the Easter Rising of 1916. It was he who chose Oliver Sheppard’s sculpture to serve as the official memorial to the Rising in the run-up to its 20th anniversary. At the elaborate unveiling ceremony in the General Post Office in Dublin on April 21st, 1935, he described the work as “a beautiful piece of sculpture, the creation of Irish genius, symbolising the dauntless courage and abiding constancy of our people”.
For more on Irish mythology:
Irish Legends, Myths and Gods Irish Mythology: 12 Old Irish Myths and Legends
Newgrange Megalithic Monument
Newgrange, a 5,200 year old passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley in Ireland's Ancient East
Newgrange was built by Stone Age farmers, the mound is 85m (279ft) in diameter and 13m (43ft) high, an area of about 1 acre. A passage measuring 19m (62ft) leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice.
Access to the Newgrange monument is via the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre.
Newgrange is a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, it is the jewel in the crown of Ireland's Ancient East. Newgrange was constructed about 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The mound is ringed by 97 large kerbstones, some of which are engraved with symbols called megalithic art; the most striking is the entrance stone.
Newgrange was built by Stone Age farmers, the mound is 85m (279ft) in diameter and 13m (43ft) high, an area of about 1 acre. A passage measuring 19m (62ft) leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice.
Access to the Newgrange monument is via the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre.
Newgrange is a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, it is the jewel in the crown of Ireland's Ancient East. Newgrange was constructed about 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The mound is ringed by 97 large kerbstones, some of which are engraved with symbols called megalithic art; the most striking is the entrance stone.
Brendan Behan – “a drinker with a writing problem”.
Brendan Francis Aidan Behan, 9 February 1923 – 20 March 1964), was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and Irish Republican,an activist who wrote in both English and Irish. His widely acknowledged alcohol dependence, despite attempts to treat it, impacted his creative capacities and contributed to health and social problems which curtailed his artistic output and finally his life.
An Irish Republican and a volunteer in the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Behan was born in Dublin into a staunchly republican family, becoming a member of the IRA's youth organization Fianna Éireann at the age of fourteen. There was also a strong emphasis on Irish history and culture in his home, which meant he was steeped in literature and patriotic ballads from an early age. source
The Auld Triangle (attributed to Behan in his play 'The Quare Fellow'
A hungry feeling came o'er me stealing
And the mice were squealing in my prison cell
And the old triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
To begin the morning a screw was bawling
'Get up you bowsie and clean up your cell'
And the old triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
On a fine spring evening the lag lay dreaming
The seagulls wheeling high over the wall
And the old triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
The lags were sleeping, Humpy Gussy was creeping
As I lay there weeping for my girl Sal
And the old triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
The wind was rising and the day declining
As I lay pining in my prison cell
And the old triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
In the female prison there are seventy five women
'Tis among them I wish I did dwell
And the old triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal