HISTORIC DUBLIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2776, 20 May 1916, Page 14

HISTORIC DUBLIN

ROUND THE SCENES OF .EHE RECENT REVOLT

"Dublin,''' wrote Frances Gerard, in 1838, "in eminently picturesque; 'its architectural buildings have pretensions ot' no mean order.- They are mostly in the same style and of the snmo date, and are disposed to the best advantage, ivith an evident eye to picturesque effect. The broad streets, tho statues, here and there what looks like a Greek temple, the bridges that span the river, tire narrow quays, ..the shipping—all tend to give a loreiKU and attractive air."

I'erhaps in no city of the world—no bij; city, anyhow—is there less evidence of modernisation in architecture. Tho latest guide to Dublin, published in 1914, says:—"Dublin is still, as in the days of Harry Lorrwjuer, tho most car-driving city of Europe, but the rebuilt cathedrals, the ramifying tram-lines, tho spacious quays, the charming gardens in St. Stephen's Green, the imposing railway station, the broad O'C'onnoll Bridge, the new National Library and Museum, and many other handsome public ■ buildings and hotels, which make Dublin one of tho finest cities of tho Empire, would he now to that dashing warrior." Situated on either side of the River EifTey, which is crossed by ten bridges, Dublin is 6-i miles from Holyhead and 3311- miles from London, when the usual journey occupies a little inoro than nine hours. The city itself returns four mem. bcrs to. the British House of Commons; The extent of the local governing powers of the city may be gauged from tho fact, that the corporation consists of a Lord Mayor, elected annually, 20 aldermen, and Gfl tow® councillors—four from/each of 1.1 wards, 't'he name Dublin k< derived from the Gaelic for Black" Pool. Danes were the . first settlers, in the year 138 A.D. Twelv.e years afterwards St. Patrick camo to Ireland, and Christianised tho people, baptising the King of Dublin in a woll which still exists beneath the north transept of St. Patrick's Cathedral. But the real Irish history of the ancient capital dates from Brian Boru, in 999, and from his complete successes over the still more or less barbarous Danes, in tho.year MM. and again in 10H,. at Clontarf, where, by tho way, Brian Boru was killed, -tho same fate overtaking his son am« bis jrandson. But the city has seon mnny uprwings and much bloodshed since the days of Brian Boru. Tho castle yard in still known as "Devil's Half Acre," becauso of the unnmneablo atrocities of the days of the rebellion of 1783. The isolation figures of.lOl-i were 304,£02. Iho population for centuries has been described as consisting of two classes—the rich to the degree, of affluence, and tho very poor. What ia knorm as the lower middle classes have few representative in Dublin. The chief industries of Dublin ere .breweries and poplin manufacture. The latter was introduced by tlm Huguenots in 1693. Hand-weaving ma> ■still be seen in, Dublin. Ths city has a more complete system of electrical tram wavs (under nrivate control! than n».J other city in the world—the abnormally wido streets lending themselves adinirablj to a network of rails. Altogether there are 50 miles of tram-lines in Dublin. . 1 Sackvillo Street—now* probably lying m ruins—is one of tho most important and grandest of tho thoroughfres. Noted for its unusual width, down the centre of the street are many fuio statues and loity buildings, which were at ouo tunc tlie residences of Irish nobility. It is one of the finest streets of Europe. Of greatest historic interest, perhaps, are the Rotunda, the Parnell monument, t-lio statue of lather Matliew (the apostle of temperance in Ireland), and Nelson's Pillar. This latter is 12Dft. high, and is surrounded by a colossal statue of Kelson, erected in 1806, at a cost of .£7OOO. Spiral stairs lead to a railed platform at the top, from which one. of the finest panoramic Bights in the world—all the beauties of Wicklow country—are to be had. The General Post Office is, or was, a noble pile of greaite, erected in 1818, at a cost o£ .£50,000. Six immenso fluted columns support' figures of Hiberaia, Mercury, and Eidolity. The 1 statue of O'Connell is an imposing work of art. On a granite basis, a. huge cylindrical pedestal ••supports typical "Irish figures in browse. /■There is Erin, trampling under foot her cast-off fetters, and holding tho Act of Emancipation in her left hand. . Other figures represent Faith, the professions, tho fine art?, tho' trades, and the peasantry. Truly a wonderful conception to tho memory of a great p«;tnot, under which is the s'ingle word, "GToimell." 'Another monument to the man is the O'Connoll Bridge, with its three stouo. arches. College Street and College Greeu are also historic. Once a pleasant little field, College Green is now a vide and busy thoroughfare. On its north side is the Bank of Ireland; on the east Trinity College, 'Foley's 'great statue of Oration, and an equestrian statue of William of Orange. The Bank of Ireland was originally built for the Irish Parliament. Begun in 1729, in the street, it cost i'dfl.OOO to build in 17G9, heing finished ten years later. Tho money was provided out of surplus subscriptions got together to fight a proposal to establish a sinecure position of wine taster, carrying the power to levy heavy taxes. Dublin Castle has been described as. the "worst castle ki Christendom." It is mostlv a dismal pile of bricks. It is still the official residences of the Lord-Lieuten-ant, and hero all State ceremonials oro held. It has been destroyed and rebuilt four times since 840. -A.D. Tho Four Courts, also mentioned in the cablegrams, are probably- tho finest of all Dublin's great buildings. They cost i£200,000 to erect in 1780. The great hall is a perfect circle of G4ft. in diameter. Statues of Truth. Chief Baron .Toy, Sir Michael O'Loughlin, and Lord Plunket stand in this circle, while outside it are figures representing. Moses, Justice and Mercy, and Wisdom and Authority.