DUBLIN, capital of Ireland (Irish, Baile athd cliath, the town of the Ford of the Hurdles; Dubh-linn, Black Pool; Eblana of Ptolemy), is 60 miles west of Holyhead, 121 miles west of Liverpool and 334% miles by rail and water from London. Up to 1891 the area was 3,733 acres, and circumference about nine miles. In that year the boundaries were ex tended. Present area 7,911 acres.
The central parts of the city rest upon alluvial soil, and the remainder upon boulder clay. Beneath is the carboniferous limestone plain which so largely occupies the central region of Ireland.
Dublin is situate on the Liffey (formerly Anna Liffey, from the Irish Abhainn Life), which divides it into two nearly equal parts, amidst beautiful surroundings. Before it is the broad expanse of Dublin Bay about 10 miles in width, on the left Howth, a high rugged promontory, on the right Bray — a pretty seaside resort — and the Wicklow Mountains, which become a range of undulating hills running down into beautiful fertile plains in the neighborhood of the city. Inland are the level prairie-like stretches which make up the counties of Kildare and Meath. The river divides the city and is spanned by 10 bridges, the most important being O'Connell Bridge, the link between O'Connell street (or Sackville street) — a very wide thoroughfare — and Westmoreland street, College Green and Graf ton street. These four streets form the heart of the city. • Public Dublin has many public buildings of architectural and historic interest. The Bank of Ireland, formerly the Parliament House, is a nearly semi-circular structure cover ing one and one-half acres. Its special feature is a noble Ionic colonnade 147 feet long. It is a good example of the beauty of simple classic severity. The Custom House on the Liffey is a fine granite pile in the Doric order, sur mounted by a dome. The Four Courts is a cluster of buildings affording accommodation to the Courts of Chancery, Queen's Bench, Exchequer and Common Pleas. There is a central edifice with a dome ornamented by 24 graceful Corinthian columns, and various other buildings separated by courtyards. The Na tional Library of Ireland and Museum of Science and Art are twin buildings in the style of the 13th century classic renaissance. The other public buildings which deserve mention are the Royal Hospital, Kihnainham, a home for army pensioners; Birmingham Tower, and Chapel of Dublin Castle; Dublin University (q.v.) ; National Gallery; Mater Misericordias Hospital; College of Surgeons; King's Inns; and Royal University buildings.
Nelson's Pillar is a column supporting a statue of Nelson, the whole being 134 feet high. A number of statues are from the chisel of Foley, the most important being those of O'Connell, Grattan, Burke, Goldsmith, Lord Carlyle, Stokes, Sir William Corrigan, Lord Gough, Lord Iveagh and the Prince Con sort. There are statues by Sir Thomas Farrell,
the most notable those of Sir John Gray, Sir Alexander M'Donald, Smith O'Brien and Barry Sullivan. A statue to Father Mathew, the tem perance reformer, occupies a prominent place in O'Connell street. There is also the Wellington Testimonial in Phoenix Park, an obelisk 205 feet high. There are some curious statues of no artistic but great historic interest. The one to King William III is celebrated. Exciting political feeling by being erected in com memoration of the battle of the Boyne, it has at various times been treated with indignity. It has been blown up with gunpowder, pulled down with ropes, and once even tarred and feathered. At the instance of Mr. Sexton, when lord mayor of Dublin, it was painted and surrounded with an iron railing.
The largest and most import tant architecturally is Saint Patrick's Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic structure commenced be tween 1220 and 1260 on the foundation of an older church of the same name. The design is a Latin cross of graceful proportions. The church consists of nave, choir and transepts — all of which have aisles—and a Lady chapel. Though frequently restored it retains the main features of the original building. Swift, its famous dean, watched over it with great care. Its present excellent condition is due to the late Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, who in 1864 had it repaired at the cost of f150,030. It is the chief place of Protestant worship in Dublin. Christ Church Cathedral, a beautiful example of early English Gothic passing from the Norman, was founded in 1038 by Sitric, Danish king of Dub lin. Time played havoc with the original build ing, of which the present is but a portion. Be tween 1181 and 1225 it was remodelled, and the part of the older structure still in existence be longs to this period. Between injudicious res torations and natural decay it had fallen into a wretched state. The great restoration which took place in 1871-78 is due to a public-spirited citizen, Henry Roe. There are many fine mod ern churches, but none possesses exceptional architectural merit. The Roman Catholic cathe dral in Marlborough street is a large building of the Doric order. The Presbyterian church at Rutland square is handsome and ornamented with a fine steeple. The Augustinian church in Thomas street is remarkable for its tower and steeple 160 feet high. In the tower there is a richly carved, lofty arched recess and doorway which has a striking effect. Saint Audoen's Church, High street, is—after the cathedrals — of most note historically. Saint Mary's, Haddington road; Saint Peter's, Phibsboro; and the small Gothic chapel in Dublin Castle are buildings of merit.