Historical factors

• Dublin began as a Viking settlement in 841 Ad.
• Dublin developed as a trading town and was later taken over by the Norman who established it as a base for British rule in Ireland
• By the 14th century Dublin had become a walled city that stretched from Dublin castle to the liberties
• The city prospered and expanded during the Georgian period in the 18th century when large squares and streets developed such as Merrion Square and O'Connelll Street ( formerly Sackville Street ).
• Trade was improved by the building the Royal and Grand canals and the port was developed with the building of the north and south walls
• Manufacturing such a textiles and brewing ( Guinness ) thrived in the older part of the city known ats the Liberties.
• The Act of Union in 1800, which abolished the Irish parliament had a disastrous impact on the city with many of the great houses turned into tenements to house the influx of poor people from the countryside fleeing the famine
• The opening of the Dublin and Kingstown ( Dun Laoighaire ) rail link in 1834 opened up the south of the city to development and many wealthier residents abandoned the city centre and moved to the coast.
• The Malahide rail link opened in 1884 facilitating the northward expansion of the city.