Dublin is more than 1,000 years old, being officially founded in the year 988. It existed under other names long before that with the area being inhabited since about 8,000 BC. One of the best known European capitals today, the city was built on the banks of the River Liffey with very modest beginnings. Prior to its establishment as Dublin, the city was known as Elena.

It covers more than 44 square miles and takes its name from the Irish “Dubh Linn” meaning “the dark pool.” The capital also is called “Baile Atha Cliath,” referring to “the town of hurdles,” which is believed to refer to an ancient fortification dating to the 6th century. Over the years, the area that now is Dublin has been host to the early Celts, Christian monks, Norman Vikings (the first settlers), and – after the English Civil Wars – the Cornwellians.

Modern Dublin

The so-called modern city of Dublin dates back to the 17th century when it was a small, walled medieval town. Evidence of this is seen in the Georgian architecture throughout the city. One of the oldest structures in Dublin, Dublin Castle, which dates to 1204, was almost completely rebuilt in the Georgian style. The castle once served as the seat of English rule in the country and now is the site where Irish presidents are inaugurated.

Dublin also is the home of the Guinness Brewery, founded in 1759 and one of Ireland's largest employers and exporters. Being situated on the coast, Dublin also is the country’s major seaport.

Growth

The city had only approximately 9,000 residents when it was taken over by Oliver Cromwell, but grew rapidly by the end of the century as Protestant refugees flooded into Ireland. Over the 18th century, the city grew tremendously in wealth and size, ranking behind London as the most important city in the British Empire.

The Irish Parliament was abolished in 1800 as England took tighter control of the country, and the city declined in importance until Ireland became independent in 1922. Dublin was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting during the struggle for independence in 1916 and in the revolution of 1919 to 1921.

Since the establishment of the Irish Free State Dublin has become the center of the political, cultural, and economic life of Ireland. While its designation as the country’s largest industrial and trade center has declined recently as efforts have been made to diversify these industries, Dublin has grown in high tech industries, such as computer hardware and software.