Dublin

Christ Church Cathedral


Christ Church Cathedral is a very beautiful building. It has many ornate wooden carvings and brass fixtures. Strongbow died in 1176, and was buried in the Cathedral. Strongbow's real name was Richard de Clare. The King of Leinster, Diarmuid MacMurrough, wanted help to regain his kingdom. He promised Strongbow his daughter Aoife's hand in marriage, and his kingdom after his own death. Strongbow was the leader of the Normans who came to Ireland in 1170 and captured Dublin. The real tomb was destroyed in 1562 and was replaced by the one that can be seen today.
There is a relic of the heart of St. Laurence O'Toole in the cathedral. He is the patron saint of Dublin.
There is a crypt under the cathedral which is one of the oldest buildings in Dublin. It contains historic artefacts and an exhibition of Church treasures including a gold plate donated to the cathedral by William the Third, after the Battle of the Boyne.
The Cathedral belongs to the Church of Ireland, and services are held there every day.

DVBLINIA


Dublinia shows what life was like in Dublin during Viking time. Dublin's origins can be traced back to two small settlements, Ath Cliath (ford of the hurdles) and Dubhlinn (black pool),that existed around the sixth sentury. The Vikings began to attack Ireland around the eighth century. They attacked Rathlin Island in 795. They came from Scandanivia, and at first only attacked around the coast, but gradually worked their way inland. The Vikings settled around Dublin.
Going through Dublinia you get an idea of what life was like in Medieval times. You can see the stall selling fruit and vegetables and another selling medicines of the time. There is a model of a ship being loaded at Wood Quay, and a person locked in a pillory.
The biggest disaster to hit Dublin during the Middle Ages was the Black Death. It was passsed on by fleas that lived on rats. It spread through Europe and arrived in Ireland in 1348. Towns then were crowded and unhealthy places and the disease spread quickly. Whole families died. The bodies of the dead were collected on carts at night, as people were afraid to bury their own dead. Dublinia is a great place to go, especially if you like history!
We finished off our tour with a visit tothe Waxworks Museum and to Fort Lucan.