The village of Dubh Linn was founded originally in the first century BC. Sometime near 841 BC, the Norse established an actual town. The meaning of the name in Irish is from ?Dubh? which is black, and ?Linn?, which is pool. It was the French-speaking Normans who corrupted the sound and meaning of the words, changing the spelling and pronunciation to ?Dublin?, or in some instances, the city is referred to as ?Develyn?.

If you were to ask a resident of the city where you were, he or she would tell you that you were in 'Baile ?tha Cliath' which means 'The Settlement of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles?. Ireland natives are likely to inform you that the Dubh Linn was a lake that the Scandinavians used when they invaded Ireland. The lake is gone now, and the Scandinavians have become mostly Irish.

After Henry VII conquered County Kildare in 1504, Dublin became the seat of the Parliament. Dublin has also been the capitol city for the entire island Ireland, beginning as far back as the 12th century, during the rule of Anglo-Norman kings. Today, the city of Dublin is the capitol of the Republic of Ireland.

During the Industrial Revolution, Dublin seemed to become Ireland's forgotten daughter. While cities such as Belfast were growing by leaps and bounds, Dublin remained much as she had always been. Unfortunately, this caused the city to crumble from neglect. From the early years of 1900's until probably the late 1960's, Dublin suffered severely from the physical damages resulting from the civil wars within Ireland, as much as from the ravages of time.

During the 1990's, the city of Dublin has undergone major renovations which have restored and rejuvenated the neglected streets and architecture to its former beauty. In addition, Government and private financing has influenced and encouraged the construction of modern housing and businesses in the city as well.

Even during the terrible struggles that Dublin has endured, she has always been a birthplace of creativity and beauty. Artists, poets, musicians, and actors, have all found inspiration and genius somewhere within the heart of Dublin. The city of Dublin offers numerous theaters and museums where residents and visitors can enjoy the accomplishments of such notable historical figures as George Bernard Shaw, and James Joyce. Famous artists such as Sir Alfred Chester Beatty also left their mark behind in Dublin, plus actors of such caliber as Noel Purcell. Talent and creative gifts are still a trait of modern Dublin natives. World-renowned rock bands such as U2, Thin Lizzy, and The Boomtown Rats are all proud to call Dublin their hometown.

It isn't all arts and entertainment in Dublin however; the city takes tremendous pride in its educational facilities as well. Dublin is home to quite a few globally recognized universities and institutes. For example, the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Trinity College, which was built and founded in the 16th century.

If you were to visit Dublin today, you would be stunned at the historical beauty and amazed by the modern technology. Dublin is many things to many people, but never disappointing to anyone.