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Dublin

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Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland.

Island of Ireland location map City of Dublin
Island of Ireland location map City of Dublin

It sits on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey.

Dublin SPOT 1023
Dublin SPOT 1023

To the south, the city is bordered by the Dublin Mountains. These mountains are part of the larger Wicklow Mountains range. The city is a very busy place with many people. In 2022, the city council area had 592,713 people. The wider city and its suburbs had 1,263,219 people.

Dublin population pyramid
Dublin population pyramid

The whole County Dublin had a population of 1,501,500.

The name Dublin comes from the Middle Irish words for "black pool."

The Dubhlinn Gardens Dublin Castle 01
The Dubhlinn Gardens Dublin Castle 01

This name refers to a dark tidal pool. It was located where the River Poddle met the River Liffey. This pool was once used by ships to moor. The pool was eventually filled in during the early 18th century. Another name for the city is Áth Cliath. This means "town of the hurdled ford." It refers to a place to cross the river near the Father Mathew Bridge.

Dublin - Father Mathew Bridge - 110508 182542
Dublin - Father Mathew Bridge - 110508 182542

People have lived in this area for a very long time. Fish traps found near the city show humans were there 6,000 years ago. The Gaels lived in the area before the Vikings arrived. The Vikings established a fortified base around the year 841.

Dublin - Dublinia - 20190809102938
Dublin - Dublinia - 20190809102938

Later, the Anglo-Normans arrived in Ireland. They built Dublin Castle in 1204 to serve as a defensive work.

The city grew into a major trade centre during the Middle Ages.

Dublin grew very quickly during the 1700s. It became a famous place for trading wool and linen.

Dublin in 1610 - reprint of 1896
Dublin in 1610 - reprint of 1896

In 1759, the Guinness brewery was founded. It eventually became the largest brewery in the world. For a short time, Dublin was the second largest city in the British Empire. It was also the fifth largest city in Europe. The city saw many new streets and beautiful buildings built during this time.

Henrietta Street, Dublin D1
Henrietta Street, Dublin D1

Many of these Georgian buildings still stand today.

The 1900s were a time of big changes and fighting. The Easter Rising took place in 1916.

01 General Post Office, Dublin
01 General Post Office, Dublin

This event caused a lot of damage to the city centre.

The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789)
The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789)

After the Irish War of Independence, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State. In 1937, the country was renamed Ireland. Today, Dublin is a global city. It is known as an "Alpha minus" city by researchers.

Dublin City Council Civic Offices
Dublin City Council Civic Offices
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🖼️ Images & Media (33)
File:Dublin - Dublinia - 20190809102938.jpg
Dublin - Dublinia - 20190809102938.jpg
File:Dublin - Father Mathew Bridge - 110508 182542.jpg
Dublin - Father Mathew Bridge - 110508 182542.jpg
File:The Dubhlinn Gardens Dublin Castle 01.JPG
The Dubhlinn Gardens Dublin Castle 01.JPG
File:Dublin in 1610 - reprint of 1896.jpg
Dublin in 1610 - reprint of 1896.jpg
File:Henrietta Street, Dublin D1.jpg
Henrietta Street, Dublin D1.jpg
File:Island of Ireland location map City of Dublin.svg
Island of Ireland location map City of Dublin.svg
File:01 General Post Office, Dublin.png
01 General Post Office, Dublin.png
File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg
The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville...
File:Dublin City Council Civic Offices.JPG
Dublin City Council Civic Offices.JPG
File:20130810 dublin214.JPG
20130810 dublin214.JPG
File:Dublin SPOT 1023.jpg
Dublin SPOT 1023.jpg
File:South Great George's Street Dublin.jpg
South Great George's Street Dublin.jpg

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