Dundalk

:This article is about the town of Dundalk in Ireland. For other towns of the same name see: Dundalk (disambiguation).

History

Around 3500 BC a group of people known as Neolithic people came to Ireland. One of the lasting features they left behind is the Proleek Dolmen at Ballymascanlon, on the northern side of Dundalk.

Related Topics:
3500 BC - Neolithic - Ireland - Proleek Dolmen - Ballymascanlon

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The Celts arrived in Ireland around 500 BC having colonized most of Europe. The group that settled in North Louth were known as the Conaille Muirtheimhne and took their name from Conaill Carnagh, legendary chief of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster. Their land now forms upper and lower Dundalk. The poets in Celtic society were known as the fili and were responsible for mythological tales and legends. The most famous of these being the tales of the Red Branch Knights, the Táin Bó Cuailgne and Cúchulainn.

Related Topics:
Celts - 500 BC - Europe - Conaille Muirtheimhne - Red Branch Knights - Ulster - Táin

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In 1169 the Normans arrived in Ireland and set about conquering large areas. By 1185 a Norman nobleman named Bertrum De Verdon erected a manor house at Castletown Mount. Another Norman family, the De Courceys, led by John De Courcey settled in the Seatown area of Dundalk, the "Nova Villa de Dundalke". Both families assisted in the fortification of the town, building walls and other fortification in the style of a Norman fortress. The town of Dundalk was developed as it lay close to an easy bridging point over the Castletown River.

Related Topics:
1169 - Normans - 1185 - Bertrum De Verdon - Castletown Mount - John De Courcey

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Dundalk had been originally developed as an unwalled "Straid Bhaile" or "StreetTown". The streets passed along a gravel ridge which runs from the present day Bridge Street on the North, through Church Street to Clanbrassil Street to Earl Street, and finally to Dublin Street.

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In the 17th century Lord Limerick (James Hamilton), Earl of Clanbrassil, created the modern town we know today. He was responsible for the construction of streets leading to the town center; his ideas came from many visits to Europe. In addition to the demolition of the old walls and castles, he had new roads laid out eastwards of the principal streets. The most important of these new roads connected a newly laid down Market Square, which still survives, with a linen and cambric factory at its eastern end, now Aiken Military Barracks. This was the beginning of Dundalk as an industrial town.

Related Topics:
17th century - Lord Limerick - James Hamilton - Earl of Clanbrassil - Europe - Linen - Cambric - Aiken Military Barracks

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In the 19th century the town grew in importance and many industries were set up in the local area. This development was helped considerably by the construction of a railway linking Dublin with Belfast, the expansion of the docks area or 'Quay' and the setting up of a board of commissioners to run the town.

Related Topics:
19th century - Dublin - Belfast

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The town continued to grow in the 20th century. Many industries prospered and provided employment for generations of townspeople. Today many international companies have factories in Dundalk, from food processing to high-tech computer components.

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