Lord Mayor of Dublin

The title Mayor of Dublin was created in June 1229 by Prince Henry III. It was elevated to Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1665 by King Charles II.

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Dublin

Dublin dates from 841 when the Vikings founded a permanent settlement adjacent to the deep pool formed where the Poddle stream met the River Liffey near modern day Dublin Castle. The name Dublin comes from this black pool - or dubh linn in Irish. The modern Irish name for the city is Baile Átha Cliath which means the town of the ford of the hurdles.



In 1169 a Norman Invasion Ied by Strongbow conquered Dublin. Strongbow declared himself King of Leinster and King Henry II subsequently pronounced himself Lord of Ireland. Dublin Castle was built in 1204 and became the centre of English power in Ireland. During the Tudor era Dublin enjoyed prominence as the centre of administrative rule in Ireland and Trinity College was established. During the Georgian period Dublin became the second city of the British Empire and the fifth-largest city in Europe - buildings such as the Four Courts and the Custom House date from this time. Dublin declined in the 19th century following the Act of Union 1800 which moved the seat of government back to Westminster.



In the early 20th century the Easter Rising, War of Independence and Civil War caused great destruction in central Dublin. On 21st January 1919 the first Dáil of Ireland was convened in the Mansion House and the Declaration of Independence was passed. Dublin was declared the Capital City of the Irish Free State and in 1949 the Capital of the Republic of Ireland.