James Fassinger | STILLSCENES | Documentary, Travel and Editorial Photography

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dún Laoghaire gets its name from the Irish translation Fort (Dún) of Laoghaire. It was once the seat of King Laoghaire, the ancient High King of Ireland before the Vikings sailed from Scandinavia and established themselves in Dublin. When the English later arrived in the late 11th century, they renamed the town Dunlary (Dunleary) to suit the English tongue. In 1821 it was renamed Kingstown by King George IV of England to honor his visit to the town that year.

It remained Kingstown through Victorian times until in 1921, one year before the Irish won their independence from Britain, when the town council voted to change the name back to the ancient Irish name Dún Laoghaire. Today, Dún Laoghaire is seaside tourist town and one of Ireland's major passenger ferry ports and yachting centers situated 13km (8 miles) S.E. of Dublin City Center.

These images were originally taken for the design firm 21 Spaces in Dublin for their client’s new restaurant, Milano in Dun Laoghaire.

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- A railing along the upper walkway of the East Pier, looking out over Dublin Bay to Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- A railing along the upper walkway of the East Pier, looking out over Dublin Bay to Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- A woman goes for her morning walk along the upper walkway of the East Pier.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- A walk along the upper walkway of the East Pier.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 08th, 2009 -- Looking back toward downtown from the East Pier.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- Harbour Road, near the West Pier.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- Night corner shop on Upper George's Street.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 9th, 2009.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 9th, 2009 -- A sailboat sits in drydock in Dun Laoghaire harbor.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 9th, 2009 -- Seals wait along the docks for customers at the fish market in Dun Laoghaire harbor to throw them scraps.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 9th, 2009 -- Customers at the fish market in Dun Laoghaire harbor throw seals fish scraps.

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Neptune's Stairs

Winter 2009 DUN LAOGHAIRE, Ireland - Stairs lead into depths of Howth Harbour along the West Pier.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 09th, 2009 -- The end of the West Pier sheltering the harbor.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 11th, 2009 -- A swimmer dives into the rough, icy waters of Dublin Bay at the Forty Foot bathing area just off Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 11th, 2009 -- Swimmers venture into the rough, icy waters of Dublin Bay at the Forty Foot bathing area just off Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 11th, 2009 -- Along the East Pier.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 12th, 2009 -- The James Joyce Tower, as seen through a sculpture across Dubin Bay, was one of the Martello towers built to withstand an invasion by Napoleon. It now holds a museum devoted to the life and works of James Joyce, who made this tower the setting for the first chapter of his masterpiece, Ulysses.

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