Roman legions never invaded Ireland so urbanisation came much later to this outpost of Europe than in countries such as Italy, France or England.
The Celts arrived to Ireland about 500 BC and by 200 AD they had built five main roads across the country to connect their main centres.
In time the Vikings converted to Christianity. Though their fleets held command of the seas, their tenure in towns like Dublin was never secure.
To protect the city, its environs and the outlying properties of the colonists over 40 castles and fortified tower houses were erected in the immediate vicinity of Dublin.
The activity of the 17th century accelerated during the Georgian Period; i.e. the 1720s to the 1820s.
Jobs were scarce and badly paid and thousands of poor families lived in hovels in streets a stone's throw from the Georgian showpieces
Revolution was thick in the air, in fact it was hardly ever off the agenda but all previous attempts at rebellion had ended in miserable failure.
This is truly a unique time to live, to visit and to explore a city in change, a city that has at last discovered its own identity.













