 Dublin
grew up at a fording point on the banks of the Liffey, where it spills out into the Irish
Sea. Strategically positioned in the centre of the more sheltered east coast of Ireland,
Dublin has been an important port for well over a thousand years. To the South lies the
granite mass of the Dublin mountains, from where the native Irish have traditionally
raided the city. To the North and West lie rich farmlands, the prized hinterland of the
city, now better known for growing silicon than edible crops.Within its
thousand-year-old walls, Dublin exploded from a Viking lay-up to become an Imperial seat,
holding sway over the city of York. As ever in Ireland, the invaders became natives, and
the fierce raiding Dubliners rivalled their nomadic Norse forebears in reputation.
 Almost a millenium
later Dublin was the second city of an Empire, this time centred in London. The nearest
colony of the English crown, Dublin was for hundreds of years a most troublesome nest of
rebels. For a period of only twenty years, Dublin enjoyed a Georgian boom which saw it
rival the great cities of Europe for architecture and town planning.
Now hardly half a century a true capital, Dublin is entering perhaps its greatest phase
of growth and influence, as it seeks to rehearse its leading role of the tenth century AD.
Hot Link-Live
Webcam |