Dublin << DUHB lihn >> (pop. 592,713; met. area pop. 1,263,219) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland. It lies on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin is Ireland’s economic, political, and cultural center. About a fourth of Ireland’s people live in the Dublin area. In Irish, Dublin is called Baile Átha Cliath.
The city
is at the junction of Dublin Bay and the River Liffey, which flows through Dublin. Low mountains lie immediately to the south, while rolling plains extend to the west and north. Dublin’s climate has mild winters, cool summers, and abundant rainfall.
Dublin’s old town centers on the Liffey and wide O’Connell Street. A series of bridges span the river, which is lined on each side by stately buildings and homes. St. Patrick’s and Christ Church cathedrals rise south of the river, as does historic Dublin Castle. Dublin has many low buildings and few skyscrapers. St. Stephen’s Green and the grounds of Trinity College are two of the many squares and parks around the city. The National Gallery, the National Library, and the National Museum are all close by, as is Leinster House—the meeting place of Ireland’s parliament. The Temple Bar area is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets packed with pubs, restaurants, and shops. Just to the west lies the St. James’s Gate Brewery, home to Guinness, the famous maker of a dark beer called stout. Dublin has a rich literary tradition. It was home to such world-famous writers as James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde, and Jonathan Swift. Visitors to the city’s many local pubs can enjoy traditional music and a variety of newer artists. The rock band U2 formed in Dublin and achieved international fame during the 1980’s.
The city has a busy international airport and ferry ports connecting it to the United Kingdom and France. A network of trains, buses, and highways links Dublin with all parts of Ireland.
Economy.
Many of Ireland’s manufacturing industries are in Dublin. The city’s products include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, clothing, electronics, furniture, machinery, metal products, printed materials, processed foods, and textile products. Construction, trade, transportation, communications, and tourism are also important to the city’s economy. Dublin has benefited from Ireland’s membership in the European Union (EU). Finance and technology firms have attracted thousands of workers from other EU countries.
History.
Vikings established Dublin in the mid-800’s, though a small settlement had previously been on the site. The Viking town was named Dublin, from the Irish words dubh, meaning black; and linn, meaning pool. The name may refer to a pool of dark water in a branch of the River Liffey. The branch is now filled in by land. The Vikings built Christ Church Cathedral in the 1000’s. Norman soldiers from England captured Dublin in 1170. The Normans erected St. Patrick’s Cathedral and also built Dublin Castle. The castle was the center of British rule in Ireland for over 700 years.
Dublin expanded greatly during the 1700’s. Although Ireland was controlled by England, an Irish parliament met in Dublin. Manufacturing and trade increased, and the city’s cultural life flourished.
Dublin played an important part in most of the major events of Irish history. Fighting during a 1916 rebellion against the British caused much destruction in Dublin (see Easter Rising). Much property also was destroyed in the early 1920’s, during Ireland’s war of independence from Britain and the Irish Civil War that followed it.
During the rest of the 1900’s, the Dublin area grew steadily. Some historical buildings were destroyed to make room for new construction. Suburbs expanded into the surrounding countryside. City leaders worked to balance preserving the past with allowing for the further growth of Dublin.
In the first decades of the 2000’s, Dublin experienced rapid growth that brought opportunities and challenges to its residents. After Ireland cut corporate tax rates in 2003, Dublin became the European hub for a number of multinational corporations. Many technology and finance firms built headquarters in the Dublin Docklands area. Thousands of high-paying jobs came to the capital, but the influx brought about a housing shortage as well. Rents increased dramatically, and many Dubliners with lower incomes were displaced from their neighborhoods.
