Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown: early settlers

This narrative aims to concentrate on the physical landscape of Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown. The landscape of the area has been altered over time and many of the alterations provide an insight into the changing history of the area.

The landscape around you contains many clues to the past and museums are not the only place to learn about your heritage. It is a legacy passed down through the generations, to be treasured by all. The physical landscape illustrates our cultural heritage whether it is through a simple stone church or the ruins of a once splendid castle.

Each building/structure leaves clues about the people who built it. There is a link to a common humanity. With this treasured landscape comes a certain responsibility. We must appreciate and respect our heritage and work to ensure that development and infrastructure do not overwhelm the treasures of the physical landscape of our small country.

Killiney Beach

Killiney beach has long been popular with bathers and Rocque's map dating from 1757 mentions a bath-house. The landscape around Killiney is some of the most photographed in the country and is well worth a visit. There used to be donkey-rides along the beach and this pastime lasted there until the 1960s. In recent times an awareness group was established and the beach has won a number of blue flags.

Killiney Beach

Killiney Beach

Killiney beach has long been popular with bathers and Rocque's map dating from 1757 mentions a bath-house. The landscape around Killiney is some of the most photographed in the country and is well worth a visit. There used to be donkey-rides along the beach and this pastime lasted there until the 1960s. In recent times an awareness group was established and the beach has won a number of blue flags.

Enlarge image

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown came into existence in 1994, following the merging of Dublin County Council and Dun Laoghaire Corporation. It measures 125.8 square kilometres, at its longest points, 14.8 square km east-west and 14.6 km north-south

The county is located to the south of Dublin City and boasts 17 km of coastline in the north and the east. The population of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is approximately 190,000. There is a reasonably even division between rural and urban areas within the County (54% urban and 46% rural).

The landscape is rich and varied combining various physical elements. It is proposed to describe several different elements in detail, from their inception up to and including the present day.

In this way the history of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown can be examined thorough its landscape. The visible landscape has been altered greatly in some cases, whether through erosion or other weathering, vandalism, development or simply from the ravages of time.

The story begins in pre-Christian times and continues until the present day. Images included range from old images taken from the local history collection to current images generated for the project to illustrate how much or how little has changed in certain areas. Images include megalithic monuments, crosses, churches, graveyards, castles, Martello towers, memorials, bridges and harbours. There is also a selection of snapshots (old image and a current image) of various landscapes to illustrate the changes that occur over time.

General views of landscapes are included also, to illustrate how each of the components listed have a profound impact on the physical landscape. The examination will centre on the relationship between man and the land and the constant battle between the two.