The Medieval and Viking periods of Dublin's history are by far the most turbulent in it's history. With a life expectancy of around forty years the medieval folks succumbed to infections, plague and pestilence and that was when they weren't all killing each other! Despite this they still managed to build our beautiful capital city and some of their efforts are still in evidence today.
Dublin's Civic Office which covers Dublin's Medieval and Viking past.
The tour starts at Wood Quay with a very honest description of how we have lost so much that was of archaeological significance with the building of the civic offices.
Where the Poddle meets the Liffey
At the confluence of the Rivers Liffey and Poddle we learn of the origins of Dublin City.
St Michael's Hill
The tour continues up Wine Tavern Street, just under Christchurch, where the outline of two medieval houses, including cesspit, is discussed. Listen out for the seashell reference here, it gave me a chuckle!
St Audeon's Gate, the last remaining gate from the medieval city walls
Walking up Cook Street the tour makes it way to St Audeon's Church passing the only remaining fortified gate which is left from the city walls.
St Audeon's Church
The next stop on the tour is Christchurch Cathedral. The guide provides a lovely description of Irish history at the time and it was nice to wander around the Cathedral listening to the commentary. If you fancy some refreshment at this stage be sure to visit the cafe in the crypt!
Christchurch Cathedral
On Dame Street it's revealed how the street got it's name. Then the tour turns into Dublin Castle which has changed a great deal since medieval times but the guide does a good job of describing what it must have been like.
Dame Street.
This picture is taken where the Poddle River would have ran before it was covered.
All that remains of Isolde's Tower
I really enjoyed my afternoon following the audio guide. I felt like a tourist in my own town yet I still learned a few new things! Listening to the guide you basically transverse the length and breath of the medieval city and learn about it's inhabitants and the influence of the outside world. At €1.99 to download the guide it wont break the bank and like me, you could learn something new!There are lots of other audio guides on Abarta's website for many locations across Ireland.
Note - Abarta provided me with the audio-guide free of charge for the purposes of this review. I haven't been paid for this review and the opinions expressed are my own.
