Antiquities in Dublin
East Leinster includes the counties of Louth, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Wicklow, and Wexford. Being that portion of Ireland which lies nearest to Britain it has been more subj fe1 ected to English influence than the western portions of the island. It is probable that in early times the connection between Ireland and the Continent was direct, and that the Celts came from thence without first passing through England ; but even allowing this to be so, it must be admitted that in later times the dominant feature in Irish history has been its geographical position as regards England.
In the twelfth century, East Leinster was the first province attacked by the Anglo-Normans, and the English Pale, which consisted of the counties of Dublin (Holiday Apartments, Dublin, Ireland), Kildare, Meath, and Louth was contained within a portion of its borders. The town of Dublin (Accommodation, Dublin, Ireland) was handed over to the citizens of Bristol. Prior to the Anglo-Norman invasion the Scandinavians had made good their settlements in Dublin and Wexford ; the largest collection of Scandi- navian objects found in Ireland is derived from a Norse cemetery, which lay between Island Bridge and Kilmainham, close to Dublin. Here were found a number of typical Norse swords, battle-axes; scales and weights; tortoise-brooches, and other objects of personal adornment.
The rocky promontory of Howth, Co. Dublin (Hotels, Dublin, Ireland), recalls the Norse occupation of Ireland, its name being derived from the Norse word for head. The, Irish name is Beann Eadair. Its principal antiquities are the dolmen in the demesne of Howth Castle; a earn on Sheilmartin ; the remains of a promontory fort at the great Bailey ; and the ecclesiastical remains. The latter are interesting. They consist of the collegiate church of St Mary, and a late fifteenth-century house which served as a residence for the clergy who served the church. The church, which has been much added to and altered, consists of a two-aisled nave and a chancel. The earliest remains now extant are to be found at the ancient porch. The chancel and the Howth chapel belong to the fifteenth century.
The church is supposed to have been founded by the Norsemen in a.d. 1042. It was enlarged, and dedicated to the Virgin in 1235. The altar tomb in the chapel is an interesting specimen of fifteenth-century work ; the sides are decorated with panels ornamented with foliage, and carved with the arms of the St Laurences and families related to them. The effigies of Sir Christopher St Laurence, lord of Howth, and of his wife, Anno Plunkett, are carved in low relief on the covering slab. Sir Christopher is represented in plate armour with mail showing at the neck and hips. He wears a conical bascinet. The lady wears the horned head-dress of the period, and a pleated gown.