History

While the city is now synonymous with youth and technology, Dublin is steeped in over 1,000 years of history.

Today, visitors can see fine examples of Georgian architecture, medieval castles including Dublin Castle, and stunning cathedrals. Beginning as a small Viking settlement, Dublin has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic capital cities. Dublin’s history has been one of innovation. Rich with culture, the city has been the birthplace and home of world famous writers, poets, playwrights and artists that were at the cutting edge of their time.

History has helped shape Dublin’s art and culture. National struggles have influenced much of the city’s art and culture, including its architecture, music, art and writings. These struggles have created a unique brand of humour and influenced the creative minds of some of the world’s best comedians, including legends Dave Allen, Sean Hughes, Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan, and Dermot Morgan. This tradition of bringing laughter to the world continues with the likes of Deirdre O’Kane, Maeve Higgins, Dara O’Briain, and David McSavage. History is also evident in the artwork created by Ireland’s most acclaimed visual artists.

Nationalism has traditionally been a common theme for Dublin’s artists, a tradition that has continued with Shane Cullen and his moving The Agreement, a sculpture with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement carved out in its entirety.

Dublin’s cultural edge is no more evident than in the written words of the city’s acclaimed literary greats. Literature is in Dublin’s soul. Since the creation of stunning manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, written around 800 AD, the city has given birth to the creative literary works that have been read around the world. Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and Sean O’Casey are just some of Dublin’s most recognised and accomplished playwrights, authors and poets. Some of O’Casey’s most famous works were influenced by the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish Civil War, including Juno and the Paycock and The Plough and the Stars. Wilde challenged Victorian traditions and morality with thought-provoking and controversial works for his time, including The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray. This rich heritage of the written word is why Dublin has been named as the UNESCO City of Literature.