Lost in the vibrant tapestry of Dublin, have you ever paused to consider the Northside? Dublin North is not just a geographical location. It is a vibrant area with a unique identity. Let’s discover Dublin North together.
Dublin North lies to the north of the River Liffey. It extends into part of North County Dublin. Fingal is a local government area that encompasses the part outside the city since 1994. The Northside is sometimes seen as less wealthy than the Southside. But it was once home to the city’s upper classes. Today, areas like Malahide, Howth, Clontarf and Castleknock are among Ireland’s wealthiest. They all lie to the north of the River Liffey.
The boundaries of Dublin North are not officially defined. But it generally includes Dublin city north of the Liffey. County Dublin settlements north of the M50 motorway are included. Swords and Malahide are examples. These have grown into Dublin city suburbs.
James Joyce set Dubliners stories on the Northside. He reflected his childhood in Drumcondra and Fairview. Dermot Bolger and Roddy Doyle have also written about the Northside extensively. They set novels in the fictional area of Barrytown. Fair City is a soap opera set in Carrigstown. It is a fictional suburb within Dublin’s Northside. Carrigstown is bounded by Drumcondra, the city center, East Wall and Phibsboro.
Dublin North includes many districts and streets. Smithfield and Summerhill are a must. Oxmantown is an older district that no longer exists. Areas like Artane, Cabra, and Clontarf are included.
Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council administer Dublin North. They are responsible for 84% and 16% respectively. This covers the land inside the M50 and north of the Liffey excluding Howth.
Traditionally, Dublin postal districts on the Northside start with odd numbers. O’Connell Street is in Dublin 1. Ballymun is in Dublin 11. The Phoenix Park is an exception. It’s on the Northside but part of Dublin 8. The James’s Street Postal Sorting Office looked after the Phoenix Park long ago. It was more convenient than Phibsborough.
The Eircode system adapted the old postal districts. Addresses in Dublin 1 start with D01. Swords is in Dublin K67. Malahide is in the K36 area. Clonee in County Meath has the Eircode of D15.
Dublin North is home to many well-known places. The Abbey Theatre is the Irish National Theatre. Áras an Uachtaráin is the residence of the President. You can visit the Botanic Gardens. You can also visit the Casino at Marino. Glasnevin Cemetery offers a glimpse into history. O’Connell Street is a bustling thoroughfare.
Major transport hubs serve the area. These include Connolly Station and Dublin Airport. Henry Street/Mary Street is the busiest shopping street in Ireland. The Jervis Shopping Centre and the Ilac Centre are located here. Technological University Dublin and Dublin City University are institutions of higher education. Met Éireann and Enterprise Ireland are state bodies based on the Northside.
The Vikings settled in Dublin from 841 AD onward. Dublin became the most important town in Ireland. It became a hub for western Viking expansion and trade. The Vikings founded Dublin twice. They overwintered there from 841 AD. They were expelled in 902. They returned in 917. Excavations have revealed information about the town layout.
Dublin was enclosed by an earthen bank in the tenth century. A larger bank was built in the eleventh century. Viking graves have been found at Kilmainham and Islandbridge. Ship-building took place in Dublin. Ships were built according to Scandinavian methods. Dublin developed into the most important trading town in the western Viking world.
Dublin’s history stretches back over 1,000 years. It has been Ireland’s principal city for much of that time. The Viking settlement of about 841 was known as Dyflin. This came from the Irish Duiblinn meaning black pool. The Gaelic settlement, Áth Cliath meant ford of hurdles. Viking rule ended in 1171. King Dermot MacMurrough captured the city.
Dillon Cosgrave wrote about North Dublin City and its environs. His book gives insight into the people and history of North Dublin. Aristocrats sold their houses in north Dublin after the Act of Union. Dublin North declined.
Dublin North is more than just a location on a map. It is an area steeped in history. It has a distinct cultural identity. From its Viking roots to its modern-day vibrancy, Dublin North offers a unique perspective on Dublin’s story.