The New Student's Reference Work/Dublin

Dub′lin, the capital of Ireland, is situated on the River Liffey, at its entrance to Dublin Bay. The river cuts the city into two parts, which are joined by seven stone-bridges and two iron ones, and at its mouth are a good harbor and extensive docks and wharves. The trade is largely in timber, wine, cattle and agricultural produce. The Bank of Ireland, the custom-house, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christ Church, and St. Patrick's cathedral are among the finest buildings in the city. The cathedral of St. Patrick was founded in 1190 by John Comyn, archbishop of Dublin. One of the finest monuments in the city is that to Lord Nelson, which is 134 feet high. Those to O'Connell, Grattan and Burke are also noticeable. Trinity College is the most prominent university in Ireland. It was founded in 1591 by Queen Elizabeth, and to-day has a teaching staff of 54 professors, with an attendance of 1,100 students. It has special departments for the study of medicine, theology and engineering, besides the department of arts and sciences. Its library contains 190,000 volumes. The university sends two members to the house of commons. Phœnix Park, which contains about 2,000 acres, has beautiful scenery, and helps to make Dublin one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe. The Danes captured the city in the 9th century. Under Henry II the English took possession of the city. It was burned in 1190, and three later conflagrations have destroyed portions of the city. During the protectorate of Richard Cromwell the city was seized by the Royalist party, and in 1861 James II held a parliament there. In 1800 the act of union between Great Britain and Ireland was passed, and the flag of the United Kingdom was hoisted on Dublin Castle. Population, 309,272.