| Dún Laoghaire | ||
| Location | ||
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WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: | ||
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| Statistics | ||
| County: | Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County | |
| Population (2006) | 23,857 | |
| Website: www.dun-laoghaire.com | ||
Dún Laoghaire (in Irish pronounced [d̪ˠuːn̪ˠ ˈɫeːrʲə]; sometimes spelled Dún Laoire; Anglicised as Dunleary, pronounced /dʌn ˈlɪəri/) is a suburban seaside town and county seat of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland. Basic concept of GPS operation A GPS receiver calculates its position by carefully timing the signals sent by the constellation of GPS Satellites high above the Earth Since the late 16th century the Island of Ireland has been divided into 32 counties ( Irish language contae or condae The County of Dun Laoghaire&ndashRathdown (Contae Dhún Laoghaire&ndashRáth an Dúin is a county in Ireland formed from part of the old county of Dublin In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Anglicisation or anglicization (see -ise vs -ize) is a process of conversion of verbal or written elements of any other language into a more comprehensible English A county town is the 'capital' of a County in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. The County of Dun Laoghaire&ndashRathdown (Contae Dhún Laoghaire&ndashRáth an Dúin is a county in Ireland formed from part of the old county of Dublin Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.
The town is situated some 12 kilometres south of Dublin city centre, and is a major port of entry from Britain. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands
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Etymology
The town's name derives from Laoghaire, a 5th century High King of Ireland, who chose the site as a sea base from which to carry out raids on Britain and France. Lóegaire ( Floruit 5th century (died c 462 also Lóeguire, is said to have been been a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. A High King of Ireland ( Ard Rí na hÉireann) is a historical or legendary figure who claimed lordship over the whole of Ireland. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Dún is a Celtic word meaning fort, and traces of a fortification of that period have been found on the coast. King Laoghaire is famous for having allowed Saint Patrick to travel the country and preach Christianity. Saint Patrick (Patricius Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Roman Britain -born Christian Missionary and is the Patron saint Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings
The town had been officially renamed Kingstown in 1821 in honour of a visit by King George IV, but reverted to its ancient Irish name by resolution of the town council in 1921, one year before Irish independence. The original Irish spelling is now almost always used in preference to its anglicised forms.
History
The original settlement was north of the current town centre, which developed after the decision to establish a major port, amd mailboat entry point, during the early 18th century.
There is an anchor, recovered from the wreck of the mailboat RMS Leinster which was torpedoed over the Kish Bank in 1918, with the loss of over 500 lives, located adjacent to the Carlile Pier, overlooked by the National Maritime Museum of Ireland. Leinster anchorJPG|thumb|250px|right|Leinster's Anchor - Carlisle Pier Dun LaoghaireAdjacent to the National Maritime Museum
Dún Laoghaire was once part of the borough of Dún Laoghaire, and remains the only town in Ireland to have its own Vocational Education Committee. The Corporation of Dún Laoghaire was a local authority in County Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland from 1930 to 1994 covering the Municipal borough of A Vocational Education Committee ( VEC) (Coiste Gairm Oideachais is a statutory local education body in the Republic of Ireland that administers some secondary It is considered part of the Greater Dublin Area. Introduction The term is described in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 21 and a number of other statutory instruments for the purposes of Planning
Dún Laoghaire was hit by a stray German bomb during World War II, the bomb landing near the Peoples Park at Rosmeen Gardens. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Damage from the bomb was limited to buildings.
Features
The harbour, one of the largest in the country, and base for a major car ferry route to the United Kingdom, is notable for its two granite piers. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The East Pier is particularly popular with walkers, and was featured in the 1996 movie Michael Collins, where Liam Neeson (as Collins) and two of his co-stars are seen walking along a seaside promenade, which is actually the Dún Laoghaire East Pier. Michael Collins a 1996 Biopic about Michael Collins, the Irish patriot and Revolutionary who died in the William John "Liam" Neeson OBE (born June 7, 1952) is an Irish Actor. A band is seen playing on a bandstand in this movie scene, and this is the actual bandstand on the East Pier. A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a Park, Garden, or Pier, designed to accommodate Musical bands performing outdoor In July 2007, the bandstand, which stood for decades, was removed, and a restoration project was begun by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in order to restore it to its original condition. It took 42 years to construct the harbour, from 1817 to 1859. The obelisk near the old ferryport terminal at the harbour commemorates the construction of this harbour.
A lighthouse is located at the end of the East Pier, while the new headquarters of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (the General Lighthouse Authority for Ireland) is located on Harbour Road. The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL is the body that serves as the Lighthouse authority for all of the island of Ireland plus its adjacent seas and islands
South of the harbour is Scotsman's Bay, where there was a Victorian seaside amusement area, with walks, shelters and baths. The walks and shelters are largely intact but the Dún Laoghaire Baths have been derelict for many years. Plans for restoration of this area are much debated, and some of the more ambitious ideas have been highly controversial.
The National Maritime Museum of Ireland is housed in "Mariners' Church", which formerly served the British Navy, and is situated in the the town centre, alongside a spiral walk, pond and public bowling ground. The National Maritime Museum of Ireland ( opened in 1978 in the former Old Mariners' Church in Haigh Terrace near the centre of Dún Laoghaire town southeast of Dublin Mariners' Church is currently undergoing major refurbishment. [1]. A new central library will be built alongside it. [2]
A Carnegie public library, with a modern extension, is located on Library Road, and hosts the county library headquarters.
A traditional Victorian-style park, the People's Park, is located at the remote end of George's Street, and including still-functioning tea rooms.
At least one traditional "cabman's shelter" survives - these were small buildings built for the drivers of horse-drawn taxis.
Community facilities include the Boylan Community Centre, the Dun Laoghaire Scout Den, and a community information service in the tower building of St. Michael's Church.
There is a Martello tower in nearby Sandycove, known as the James Joyce Tower and containing a small museum. Martello towers (or simply Martellos) are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century from the time Sandycove ( Irish: Cuas an Ghainimh) is a small village located on the east coast of the Republic of Ireland, in South County Dublin, and The James Joyce Tower and Museum is a Martello tower in Sandycove, Dublin, where James Joyce spent six nights in 1904
Transport
Public transport
Dún Laoghaire is connected to central Dublin by the DART suburban railway, and a frequent bus service. The Dublin Area Rapid Transit ( DART) is part of the suburban railway network in Ireland, running mainly along the coastline of Dublin Bay on Beside the railway station is the terminus of the 46a, the most frequent and heavily used bus route in Dublin. Dún Laoghaire/Mallin railway station (Stáisiún Dhún Laoghaire/Í Mheallain serves Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin, Ireland. Dublin Bus Route 46A is a Bus route in Dublin, Ireland, that runs from Mountjoy Square, in Dublin city centre to Mallin
Rail history
The Dublin and Kingstown Railway, constructed in 1834, was the first ever railway in Ireland. The Dublin and Kingstown Railway (D&KR which opened in 1834, was Ireland ’s first railway Year 1834 ( MDCCCXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common
Ferry
The town has a ferry connection to Holyhead in Anglesey, Wales, one of Ireland's main sea links to the UK. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Holyhead ( IPA /ˈhɒlihɛd/ Welsh: Caergybi, "the fort of Saint Cybi " is the largest town in the county of History There are numerous Megalithic monuments and Menhirs present on Anglesey testifying to the presence of mankind in prehistory The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located .
Pedestrianisation
A number of years ago, Lower George's Street underwent pedestrianisation, placing a ban on all general traffic with the exception of bus routes toward central Dublin. Car-free zones (also known as auto-free zones and pedestrian zones) are areas of a city or town in which automobile traffic is prohibited Routes coming along this road into Dún Laogahire were re-routed along the sea front.
Sports
Boating
Dún Laoghaire harbour is home to six yacht clubs. A yacht club is a sports Club specifically related to Sailing and Yachting. From north (West Pier) to south (East Pier) they are the Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, the Sailing In Dublin Club, the Royal Irish Yacht Club, the Royal St. George Yacht Club, the Royal Alfred Yacht Club, and the National Yacht Club. The Sailing in Dublin Club is a Yacht club based in Dún Laoghaire harbour Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland. See also Yacht Club National Yacht Club Royal Cork Yacht Club Royal St Located in Dun Laoghaire The Royal St George Yacht Club was founded in 1838 and remains one of Ireland's premier clubs 1871 Kingstown Royal Harbour Boat Club The present clubhouse designed by William Sterling was erected in 1870 at a cost of £4000
The area to the north of the West Pier is heavily used year-round by windsurfers as a launch point, although occasionally dinghy schools use it in the summer. Windsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board also commonly called a sailboard usually two to five meters long and powered by a single sail
Marina
The 500-berth marina is the largest in the country, and opened in 2001 following resistance for over 15 years by a group led by the late John de Courcy Ireland, a maritime historian. John de Courcy Ireland ( 19 October 1911 &ndash 4 April 2006) was an Irish maritime historian and political activist A 240-berth extension, involving an investment of €3 million, was approved in June 2006 by An Bord Pleanála; the project was completed in April 2007. An Bord Pleanála ( English: The Planning Board) is an independent statutory administrative tribunal that decides on appeals from planning decisions made by local
Golf
The town has an active Golf Club but its members have agreed to sell their course to housing developers and move to Bray Head.
Education
The Dún Laoghaire area is home to three third level education establishments; the Senior College in the town centre, which will shortly move to Blackrock; [3]; Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education on Cumberland Street. Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology ( IADT) ( is located at Dún Laoghaire, Ireland and was created in the 1960s as an arts school of
Dún Laoghaire has seen several of its secondary schools close in the past two decades, due to population shifts to outlying areas. Two schools which closed are, notably, Christian Brothers Eblana Avenue, founded in 1856 and closed in 1992, and the Dominican Convent girls' school, which closed a year earlier in 1991.
Shopping and business
Dún Laoghaire has one main shopping street, George's Street, as well as a two shopping centres, the Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre and Bloomfields. The former was opened in 1977. Recent years have seen some commercial development of the land around the George's Street area, including, notably, the old Pavilion Cinema and Theatre site opposite to the town hall.
The town has a wide range of eating places and public houses, as well as more than one hundred other retail businesses.
The town is home to the head office of Ireland's largest supermarket operator, Tesco Ireland, whose stores anchor both major shopping centres in the town. Tesco Ireland Limited is a Supermarket company in the Republic of Ireland formed in Tesco plc's 1997 acquisition of the Irish retailing It also holds other company headquarters, such as those of Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Berlitz Ireland. An Bord Iascaigh Mhara or BIM (The Irish Sea Fisheries Board is the agency of the Irish State with responsibility for developing the Irish marine fishing and aquaculture
There is an active Business Association, and a local Chamber of Commerce.
Tourism
Much of the town's early growth came from visitors from Dublin, and today there is one large hotel, heavily refurbished in 2007, the Royal Marine, along with several small hotels, and a number of bed-and-breakfasts.
Health
Dún Laoghaire is home to St. Michael's Private Hospital as well as a number of private clinics, therapists and general practitioners.
People
The Irish singer and African activist Bob Geldof was born in Dún Laoghaire. Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, KBE, known as Bob Geldof (born 5 October 1951, is an Irish singer Many famous personalities live in nearby Dalkey, including singer Chris de Burgh, and many members of the rock band U2. Dalkey ( is a village located in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland. Chris de Burgh (born Christopher John Davison on 15 October 1948 is a half Irish musician and songwriter who holds British nationality. The Clannad singer, Moya Brennan, also lives in the Dún Laoghaire area.
See also
- Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology ( IADT) ( is located at Dún Laoghaire, Ireland and was created in the 1960s as an arts school of
- National Yacht Club. 1871 Kingstown Royal Harbour Boat Club The present clubhouse designed by William Sterling was erected in 1870 at a cost of £4000
- List of towns in Ireland.
- List of RNLI stations. List of Royal National Lifeboat Institution stations by county
- Kingstown Lifeboat Disaster. The Kingstown Lifeboat Disaster occurred on Christmas Eve 1895 off Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) Ireland, when the Kingstown Lifeboat
External links
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
- Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board
- History of the Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire ferry service
- Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat Station
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