Welcome to Dublin

Dublin is a special place with a long, exciting history. It's not just a townland; it's actually Ireland's capital city! Hundreds of years ago, in the time of the Vikings, around the year 841, Dublin was just a small settlement. The Vikings, who were brave sea explorers from far-away lands like Norway and Denmark, sailed their longboats to Ireland and made Dublin their home. They created a bustling trading port.

In 1014, a big battle happened right in Dublin! It was called the Battle of Clontarf. The Irish King Brian Boru fought against the Vikings. King Brian won but sadly, he was also killed in the battle.

Many years later, in the 1800s, Dublin grew into a beautiful city with grand buildings. One of these buildings is the General Post Office, which played a big role in the 1916 Easter Rising, a key event in Ireland's fight for independence.

Dublin has seen a lot of changes over the centuries, but it's always been an important and lively place in Ireland's history. Today, it's a wonderful city full of stories and charm!

  1. What is the capital city of Ireland?
  2. Who were the Vikings and where did they come from?
  3. What was the Battle of Clontarf and who fought in it?
  4. How did Dublin change in the 1800s?
  5. What role did the General Post Office play in the 1916 Easter Rising?

All About Dublin

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, sitting on the east coast of the country. It's a city full of exciting things and beautiful nature. The River Liffey divides Dublin into two parts: North and South. Lots of people like to take walks along its banks and see the many bridges that cross it!

Have you heard of O'Connell Street? It's one of Dublin's most famous streets, and it's really wide. In the middle, you'll see the Spire, a very tall, shiny needle-like tower that reaches up to the sky.

Dublin isn't just buildings and streets, though. It has lovely parks like Phoenix Park, which is one of the biggest city parks in Europe! Here, you can see many different animals like deer, squirrels, and all sorts of birds. There are also beautiful trees and flowers in Dublin's parks and gardens.

One more thing that makes Dublin special is its mountains. Just outside the city, you can see the Wicklow Mountains. They look so pretty with their tops often covered in mist.

So, Dublin is a city with many faces: busy streets, peaceful parks, a gentle river, and majestic mountains. Isn't it wonderful?

  1. What river divides Dublin into two parts?
  2. Describe one feature that makes O'Connell Street famous in Dublin.
  3. What can you find in Phoenix Park and what makes this park special in Europe?
  4. What mountain range can you find just outside of Dublin?
  5. Using a map of Dublin, can you locate the River Liffey, O'Connell Street, Phoenix Park, and the Wicklow Mountains? Mark these on your map.
  6. Explore your local area. Can you find a geographical feature that is of interest? It could be a park, river, or hill. Describe what you found.

My Family and Dublin

Hi! I'm Bailey and I'm 8 years old. I live in the best place ever, Dublin! It's so cool here. Just near my house there's the Dublin Zoo! I love going there and seeing all the animals. My favourite are the elephants. They're so big and strong but they're really gentle too.

One time, my school took us to the Phoenix Park. It's the biggest park in Europe! We played lots of games and had a picnic. I wish we could do that every day.

Also, I can see the Spire from my window. It's like a giant silver pencil. My dad says it's the tallest sculpture in the world. Isn't that awesome?

I love living in Dublin because there's always something to do or see. I can't wait to grow up and explore more of this city. But for now, I'm happy going to the zoo, playing in Phoenix Park and looking at the Spire from my window. Bye!

  1. What is Bailey's favourite animal at the Dublin Zoo?
  2. Why does Bailey like the elephants?
  3. What is one thing Bailey did at Phoenix Park?
  4. What does Bailey see from their window?
  5. Why does Bailey love living in Dublin?

The Logainm of Dublin

Dublin is a city in Ireland, but have you ever wondered what its name means? The name 'Dublin' comes from the old Irish words 'Dubh Linn' which means 'Black Pool'. This referred to a dark pool of water where the River Poddle flowed into the River Liffey, way back in history. The Vikings, who were seafaring people from Scandinavia, spotted this black pool when they came to Ireland over 1000 years ago. They thought this was a good place to settle, and they founded a town there which eventually grew into the city we now know as Dublin.

Over the years, the name 'Dubh Linn' changed slightly and became 'Dublin'. Today, if you visit Dublin, you won't find the 'Black Pool' because it's been replaced by a beautiful park called Dublin Castle Gardens. But the story of the black pool lives on in the city's name. So, next time you hear 'Dublin', you can remember the ancient black pool that gave this city its name.

  1. What does the name 'Dublin' mean in English?
  2. Who were the Vikings?
  3. Why did the Vikings decide to settle near the 'Black Pool'?
  4. What is located now where the 'Black Pool' used to be?
  5. How does the story of the 'Black Pool' live on in Dublin today?

Slideshow - Dublin
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Dublin