The vibrant capital city of Dublin is nestled on the eastern coastline of Ireland and is located in the Leinster province of the country. The name “Dublin” can be traced back to the Gaelic language – dubh linn meaning “black pool” – and refers to the modern-day Dublin Pond, the body of water where the iconic River Liffey drains into. From medieval sites to universities to the pubs lining every corner, this city is sure to have something for every traveler!

History

Much of Ireland’s history as a nation is heavily rooted in religious tradition due to its strongly Catholic background. Prior to the spread of Christianity, Dublin was home to early Celtic peoples. The patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, was a British slave brought to Ireland around the year 430. After escaping the country, he became a priest and returned to spread Christianity to the largely pagan culture. This marked Ireland’s shift to the Catholic faith that largely defines it to this day. Viking invaders conquered the city of Dublin in the mid-9^th century and would remain there for three centuries, proving to be key in the various Anglo-Norman battles over control of the city. In 1532, King Henry VIII broke away from Catholicism and the Catholic majority of Ireland was faced with new religious and cultural institutions rooted in the Protestant faith, such as Trinity College.

By the 18^th century, Dublin had become “the second city of the British Empire” due to an economic boom in the textile industry, as refugee communities from across Europe fled to the Irish capital. Much of Dublin’s urban development happened during this period – interest in economic investments in the city skyrocketed, the population grew rapidly, and the city spread to new regions along the coastline. The country of Ireland, however, remained under Protestant English rule, causing many Irish Catholics in the region to emigrate across the Atlantic to the United States. Despite the mass exodus of Irish Catholics during this period, the city of Dublin nevertheless saw a huge population spike largely due to the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1852. While the Irish population reduced by nearly one third during the famine, people from all over the country flocked to Dublin – the major international port of the region – in an attempt to escape the hunger that swept the region.

At the turn of the 20^th century, the city of Dublin had become a hub for Irish nationalism and the center of rebellion against British rule. Despite being economically prosperous in the world market, it had become a city identified by class division and an enormous wealth gap with some of the worst poverty on the European continent. The Easter Rising rebellion of 1916 was an attempt by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to occupy and overthrow British rule in the city but was eventually quashed by British forces. This led to an intense martial law that plagued the city until a compromise was reached in 1922 establishing the Irish Free State. Opposition to the compromise would unfortunately lead to the Irish Civil War and although the war would end in 1923, the Republic of Ireland would not become independent of the British Commonwealth until 1949 and religious and cultural tensions would remain high for decades.  

Culture

The atmospheres of Dublin and cities all throughout Ireland honor the Irish language and Gaelic traditions of its heritage. The city’s Irish name, Baile Áth Cliath, means “the town of the ford of hurdles” and much of the street signs that you would find in Dublin are written in Irish. A modern revival of the Irish language has caused a resurgence in native Irish speakers and now approximately 40% of the population of Ireland speaks Irish. Dublin is considered one of the most diverse cities in Ireland, with the most religious diversity of any other Irish city and nearly 17% of its population identifying as expats.

Dublin’s most popular tourist sites range from world-renowned universities and medieval castles to sports stadiums and theatres. Located in the center of the city, Trinity College is Ireland’s highest ranked university with a history that is nearly 500 years in the making. The medieval Dublin Castle is also a popular destination and is also a functioning government building for the Republic of Ireland. If you ever find yourself in this breathtaking city, make sure to check out some of the many city-wide festivals that it hosts throughout the year; the St Patrick’s Day Festival, the Dublin Dance Festival, and the Dublin Theatre Festival are some fan favorites!

Dublin has a very vibrant music scene and is home to the worldwide rock band, U2, as well as many local Irish folk bands like The Dubliners, whose song, “Molly Malone”, is the unofficial anthem of Dublin with a statue downtown commemorating the woman in the song. Dublin was also named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2009, as many of the literary greats called Dublin home, such as the authors Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and even the creator of the original Dracula, Bram Stoker. The famous Irish playwright, Samuel Beckett – who is most known for his work, Waiting for Godot – even has a bridge in the city named after him!

Perhaps the most recognizable part of Irish culture is its annual St Patrick’s Day festivities. Celebrated on March 17^th, the day marks anniversary of the death of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. The first celebrations of St Patrick’s Day can be traced back to around the 8^th century and has been considered a strictly religious feast throughout most of Irish history. In fact, while it was considered as a break from Lent, bars and pubs were always closed on the holiday up until the 1970s. The modern-day traditions of St Patrick’s Day that we are all familiar with were actually popularized in American history, not Irish. After the Irish Potato Famine of the 19^th century, the number of Irish immigrants in America skyrocketed and initially, the holiday was caricatured due to the rejection of the Irish Catholic majority by a mostly Protestant America. However, the holiday became a political strategy to gain the Irish Catholic vote and soon, cities across the nation were celebrating March 17^th en masse. Today, the most famous St Patrick’s Day parades can be found in Dublin, New York, Savannah, and Chicago.

Cuisine

Irish cuisine reflects much of its agrarian history. Aside from potatoes, Irish cuisine also includes a lot of cabbage, which became a popular alternative during the Irish Potato Famine. Most dishes include some form of potatoes and meat and are served with the traditional Irish soda bread and brown butter on the side. With a fairly cold climate, much of Irish cuisine is meant to be served hot and include dishes such as Irish Stew and seafood chowders. One of the most popular dishes that you’ll find across Ireland is colcannon, a mashed potatoes dish that is mixed with cabbage, green onions, and butter. Most holidays include a large feast, and the most common St Patrick’s Day meal is corned beef brisket with cabbage.

As a major international port nestled amongst the rolling Irish countryside, Dublin boasts world-class seafood and produce that may even rival your local farmer’s market. Street food is becoming increasingly popular and a weekly trip to the Temple Bar Food Market for some fresh produce is an absolute must on your next visit. Dublin is also home to Butler’s Chocolate Cafés, which have some of the creamiest coffees that are sure to warm you up after a long day of site-seeing. Pub culture is extremely prevalent in the city and you are bound to find a pub on every street. Dublin is also the birthplace of the wildly popular Guinness stout, which has been brewing at the St James’s Brewery in Dublin since 1759!

Dublin – Official Site for News & Culture