Old maps of Dublin: Viking & Medieval Dublin to the early modern era. 1,200 years of change. The image below is the first known image of Ireland. It was drawn as part of a larger map, around 200AD, by the legendary Ptolemy, often called the Father of Geography. Culturally speaking, Ptolemy was Greek, but he… Read More Maps of Dublin, old Speed’s map reveals history of Dublin.
the Dublin Decoded Walk “Medieval Mass” tour takes places on occasional dates, often often a Saturday or Sunday. Dates are announced on our monthly newsletter and elsewhere. (You can subscribe to newsletter here) Medieval Mass works a little differently from other Dublin Decoded tours. It’s a sort of treasure hunt, walked together with our “treasure… Read More Dublin Decoded medieval gates, walls and towers walk (available private pre-booked groups).
North by North West, is the newest of Dublin Decoded’s walking & talking tour of Dublin city centre. As always with Dublin Decoded, we’ll look at and discuss the rich, varied; often surprising historic past, and explore how aspects of that past shape our present and our city today. There is an upcoming date on… Read More North by North West, a walking & talking tour of Dublin, 18th century to medievel, history, architecture, revolution & social history.
A small but significant detail above, from the lovely little 1904 map by RISA scholar and historian Leonard R Strangeways. This magical map, is an excellent guide to understanding old Dublin, in the years before the Wide Streets Commission. We use it because it’s one of the best and clearest illustrations to understand the shape… Read More a magic map, scholar’s sketch of ancient Dublin, special tours, available for groups.
Origins of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Part One- the chapel on the island & early Celtic church, and reflections on early Irish Culture. Take a look at St Patrick’s cathedral in Dublin. It’s not hard to fathom there was once a tiny Celtic-era church here on this site. What may be slightly harder to grasp today… Read More Origins of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Part One- the chapel on the island & early Celtic church.
The story of The Two cathedrals, Background. There are two bits of background we have to know to understand the twist. First of all, in 1163, the Irish archbishop of Dublin Laurence O’Toole made Christ Church cathedral a Priory Order. This essentially meant Christ Church became a sort of Abbey or Monastery, ruled by Augustan… Read More Story of Saint Patrick Cathedral, Part 3: Anglo-Normans, and the story of the 2 cathedrals.
Another in the current orgy, of seaside-related posts. I can not help it. It is summer after all. And it was A Spectacular day today, blazing with sunshine. Very un-Irish, although we appreciate it more than anyone else in the world, and the town and country alike always look their beautiful best. Yes, sunshine. Was… Read More East is East, and West is West, Dun Laoghaire’s magic piers. Part 1.
It has been the maddest few weeks of work for a very long time… For many years now I have run cultural programs for schools and colleges, or led one-off tours for schools and language schools, of history or art history, around the city of Dublin. Sometimes I take them to the National Museum, or… Read More Exciting times… and a new start.
This post is for all visitors and was inspired by my students. They often tell me they find it hard to get reliable information on the most interesting places to see here. This sounds a bit unlikely at first? With Ireland’s long-established tourism, you’d imagine we’re bursting at the seams with reliable, objective lists and maps,… Read More Arran’s Top Dublin Sights & Visits.
These toy soldiers appear in the same exhibition as the First World War recruitment posters from recent post, although clearly the uniforms and equipment date from much earlier. They come from France, currently on loan to Collins Barracks from the Musée l’armée, at the famous les Invalides of Paris. But as you see, these particular… Read More Secret Soldiers: Exiled Heroes.
Arran Q Henderson 