Welcome to Dún Laoghaire

Dún Laoghaire is a special townland in County Dublin, Ireland, with a very interesting story. The name means "Fort of Laoghaire". Now who was Laoghaire, you might wonder? He was a famous ancient Irish king, who used this area as his sea base.

The most interesting part of Dún Laoghaire's history is about a man-made harbour. Imagine a big area filled with water where boats can park safely, much like a parking lot for cars but for boats - that's a harbour! In the early 1800s, many ships faced trouble due to stormy weather and crashed near the coast.

To stop this from happening, people decided to build a safe place for the ships. It took over 25 years to build this harbour, which is now one of the largest in the country. Isn't that amazing?

Today, Dún Laoghaire is known for its beautiful seaside views, the big harbour, and a ferry that can take you all the way to England. So, it's not just an ordinary townland, it's a place where history, nature, and adventure meet!

  1. What does the name "Dún Laoghaire" mean?
  2. Why was a harbour built in Dún Laoghaire?
  3. What is Dún Laoghaire known for today?
  4. Why do you think it took so long to build the harbour?
  5. If you could visit Dún Laoghaire, what would you like to see or do there? Why?

All About Dún Laoghaire

Dún Laoghaire is a lovely seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland. It's famous for its big harbour, where you can see many boats coming and going. The town is full of colourful streets, like the bustling George's Street lined with shops and restaurants.

One of the most famous places in Dún Laoghaire is the People's Park. It's a perfect place to play, have a picnic, or just relax. It has a beautiful Victorian bandstand and a playground for you to enjoy.

Dún Laoghaire is also home to many different plants and animals. You might spot seagulls, swans, and even seals near the harbour! The town's trees and flowers add lots of colour and make it even more beautiful.

One more fun thing about Dún Laoghaire is its piers. Walking along the East or West Pier, you can enjoy stunning views of the Irish Sea and the town.

There are no big mountains or rivers in Dún Laoghaire, but it's right next to the sea! It's a great place to learn about the ocean and the creatures that live in it. So, if you love nature, animals, and the sea, you'll love Dún Laoghaire!

  1. What is one thing that Dún Laoghaire is famous for?
  2. Describe the People's Park and what you can do there.
  3. What types of wildlife might you expect to see in Dún Laoghaire?
  4. Using a map, can you identify where the East and West Piers are located in Dún Laoghaire?
  5. Explore the area of Dún Laoghaire either virtually or in person. Can you find a geographical feature not mentioned in the text? What is it and why do you find it interesting?

My Family and Dún Laoghaire

Hi there! I'm Danny, and I'm 8 years old. I live in a cool place called Dún Laoghaire in Co. Dublin. It's really fun here because we're by the sea and there's always something to do! My favourite place in the whole world is the East Pier. It's really long, and sometimes I try to count all the benches along the way but lose track!

Every Sunday, my family and I go to the People's Park Market. It's right next to the old Victorian bandstand and I love watching people playing music there. The market is full of yummy food, I always get a crepe with Nutella and strawberries, it's my favourite!

Another cool place near my house is the National Maritime Museum. It's in an old church and has loads of old boats and stuff. I like to imagine I'm a pirate when I go there!

Living in Dún Laoghaire is fun and exciting. I can't wait to be older and explore more of this place. But for now, I'm happy being 8 and enjoying all the fun things around me.

  1. What is my favourite place in Dún Laoghaire and why?
  2. What do I usually do on Sundays with my family?
  3. What do I like to imagine when I visit the National Maritime Museum?
  4. What is my favourite food at the People's Park Market?
  5. What do I like to do at the East Pier?

The Logainm of Dún Laoghaire

Dún Laoghaire is a lovely seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland. The name 'Dún Laoghaire' comes from the Irish language, and it means 'Fort of Laoghaire'. Laoghaire was a High King of Ireland long, long ago, around the 5th century. He was known for his grand ship, and he used Dún Laoghaire as his seaport. The 'fort' in the name refers to the ancient defensive site that was there.

Over centuries, the name Dún Laoghaire has changed a lot. It was once called 'Dunleary', 'Dun Lary', and even 'Kingstown' at one time! In 1920, the town went back to its old, original name, Dún Laoghaire, to honor its rich history.

Today, Dún Laoghaire is known for its beautiful harbour, where many boats and ships come and go, just like King Laoghaire's ship did all those centuries ago. So, every time you see Dún Laoghaire, remember, it's not just a name, but a story of a king and his fort!

  1. Can you tell me what 'Dún Laoghaire' means in English?
  2. Who was Laoghaire and why is the town named after him?
  3. What are some of the other names that Dún Laoghaire was known by?
  4. Why do you think the town changed its name back to Dún Laoghaire in 1920?
  5. What is Dún Laoghaire known for today and how does it link back to its history?

Slideshow - Dún Laoghaire
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Dún Laoghaire