subject: Dublin Hotels For Visitors To Dublin Of The Vikings [print this page] There has been a settlement in Dublin for over 2000 years but it was the Vikings (also called Norsemen), who in the mid 800's established the community which developed into the city of Dublin which has remained Ireland's capital and largest city ever since then. They continued to rule for more than 200 years after which they gradually lost their domination.
The Vikings raided the coasts of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and North Africa over a period of about 300 years. They travelled in their longboats and looted, pillaged and took hostages along the route and brought back their booty to Scandinavia.
Many of these raiders settled down in various locations and some built permanent settlements and fortifications. Dublin, on the East coast of Ireland became one of their biggest cities in Europe.
The Vikings were very belligerent and often ruthless and they were feared throughout Europe. They suppressed any resistance, killing men, women and children and they plundered any livestock, food and valuables. Monastic settlements were an easy target where they often massacred the monks, burned the monasteries and stole everything of any value.
Dublin prospered in the era of the Vikings because of the increased trade and the introduction of new skills. They later intermarried with the native Irish and after a while the two races were no longer distinct.
A lot of what we know about them comes from archaeological records and from pictorial records and from the Norse Sagas of dating from the thirteenth century .
Visitors to Dublin today can learn all about the Viking influence on Dublin from one of the many exhibitions which illustrate their history. Dublinia, Viking and Medieval Dublin and The Viking World are three of the best where visitors can experience life as it was lived in Dublin of the Vikings. Dubliners have become more aware of their Viking heritage during recent years and proudly celebrate Viking Dublin as part of Irish culture.
Visitors can experience Viking Dublin in an interactive way at the Viking Adventure. The guide, who looks like a genuine Viking will lead you on a trip through Dublin of the Vikings with its narrow streets, animals, children, smells and sounds. You will get a real feel of life of Dublin whose name comes from Dubh Linn meaning 'Black Pool'
Many of the archaeological items which were unearthed during the excavation of sites around Dublin are on show at The Viking Adventure. Some of these objects were found when the foundations for Dublin's Civic Offices at Wood Quay were being dug in the 1970's. The Offices were built despite long and bitter protests from conservationists.
