Dublin “Obedienta Civium Urbis Felicitas”

First things first… Take out your homework and let’s discuss the interesting facts you found about Dublin.

Important Facts: Capital City Dublin is the chief city of the province of Leinster, but it is also the capital of the Republic of Ireland. For the other provinces, Cork is the chief city of Munster, and Galway is the chief city of Connacht.

Important Facts: History Dublin officially became a city in 988 CE, although there is evidence of its existence from the 2nd century CE, when it was called Eblana. It was originally settled by Vikings, and then conquered by Danes, and finally brought under English control in 1171. What does CE mean?

Note: Time AD means Anno Domini, or year of Christ. BC usually means Before Christ. In modern day, we try to use CE for Common Era, and BCE for Before Common Era, to allow for the inclusion of everyone, not just those who follow Christian beliefs.

Important Facts: Transport Like most capital cities, Dublin is accessible by many routes: transport is possible by sea, up the river Liffey into Dublin, and also by air. Ferries leave from Dublin for Wales, and also for Liverpool. What body of water does Dublin sit on?

Irish Sea

Important Facts: Government The Irish government is based in Dublin, and the leader of the government is called An Taoiseach. The word comes directly from the Gaelic word for ‘leader’. The Irish government is part of the European Union, and they are completely independent of the United Kingdom.

Important Facts: Population Dublin has a population of only 1,000,000 people, and of these, 87% are Roman Catholics. The homogeneity of the religion is one of the reasons that Ireland pushed for separation from the United Kingdom.

Important Facts: River Liffey The Liffey is a part of life in Dublin: not only did it help trade and transport in the city, but it also divides the city into North and South, creating some friendly competition. What do you think people who live on the north and south side are called?

Important Facts: River Liffey They are the Northsiders and Southsiders.

Rivers: They’re Everywhere! Most major cities have a river running through them. Why? Can you name these ones? London Dublin Edinburgh Seoul Paris New York Rome

Important Facts: Social Problems Dublin has dealt with many issues concerning the use of heroin, as well as poverty and homelessness. Although the problem has calmed somewhat, it is again on the rise. It resulted in the death of a reporter, Veronica Guerin, in 1996, after she was shot by criminals she was investigating.

Important Facts: Social Problems As cities grow in size and importance, the list of social problems usually increases. These can include crime or poverty. Does anyone know why?

Important Facts: Social Problems As cities become bigger, it becomes more difficult to provide access to education, health care, social programs and access to jobs. If these are not handled correctly, then an unfair distribution of wealth can occur, and that can lead to social problems.

Trivia: What DO you know? Famous people in Dublin are given permission to do what in St. Stephen’s Green? Dublin has less WHAT per person than any city in Europe? What animal can you see downtown in Phoenix Park?

The answers They may graze their sheep free of charge. They have less pubs. Phoenix Park has had a herd of deer living in it since 1662.

Things To Do: See the Book of Kells The Book of Kells is an illuminated copy of the Bible, created by Celtic monks in 800 CE or even slightly earlier. Each page is written by hand, and decorated with Celtic designs and pictures. There are 680 pages in all.

Things To Do: Visit the Kilmainham Gaol The harshest prison in Dublin, it is no longer used but visitors can still visit the bare, cold cells that were home to prisoners before they were executed.

Things To Do: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! The patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick is particularly loved in Dublin, when they hire the best street performers in Europe and celebrate for not just one, but FOUR days. Does anyone know when St. Patrick’s Day is?

Places To Go: Phoenix Park This is the world’s largest enclosed city park, and has the home of the Irish President as well as the US Embassy. You can also find the Garda Headquarters here, and some deer!

Key Vocabulary homogeneity – meaning everything is identical or the same harshest – cruellest illuminated – for religious documents, meaning it contains artwork and calligraphy

Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L244ysgD8fk&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/user/GlassEyeMultimedia?v=-WqDZC5dqTc&feature=pyv