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

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 7th, 2009 -- Scott's Cafe Bar in downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- A fisherman checks his traps in Dublin Bay, just off the shore of Dun Laoghaire.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- A long the East Pier.

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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

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- On 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. 08th, 2009 -- Pleasure craft docked in the harbor.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- Traps sit on the docks in Dun Laoghaire harbor.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- Fishing boats docked in Dun Laoghaire harbor.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 8th, 2009 -- Fishing boats docked in Dun Laoghaire harbor.

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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. 09th, 2009 -- Stairs along the West Pier leading down into the harbor.

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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. 9th, 2009 -- Riders catch the DART train to Howth at the main DART station downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- Swimmers venture into the icy waters of Dublin Bay at Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- Swimmers brave the icy waters of Dublin Bay at Sandycove Point during their morning swim.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- A rider waits for the DART train at the main DART station downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire,, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- Fresh catch of the day at the fish market in Dun Laoghaire harbor.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- Stopping a shot on goal during a family football match in Peoples Park in downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- A father tries to get the ball from his son during their family football match in Peoples Park in downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- A father waits for his son to throw out the ball during their family football match in Peoples Park in downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- A customer picks out freah fish at a local butcher in downtown Dun Laoghaire.

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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 Fortyfoot 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 Fortyfoot bathing area just off Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

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

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 11th, 2009 -- Along the cliffs at Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 11th, 2009 -- Entrance to the Fortyfoot bathing area just off Sandycove Point in Dublin Bay.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 10th, 2009 -- A rider waits for the DART train at the main DART station downtown.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 12th, 2009 -- A swimmer tiptoes into the icy waters of Dublin Bay for his morning nude swim at the Fortyfoot bathing area just off Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 12th, 2009 -- A swimmer navigates the rough, icy waters of Dublin Bay, carefully steering clear of the rock formations at the Fortyfoot bathing area just off Sandycove Point.

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Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland -- Jan. 12th, 2009 -- A pint of Guinness on the bar at Fitzgerald's of Sandycove, just 15km from where it was brewed in Dublin. This pub, established in 1861 in Dun Laoghaire, is one of Dublin’s last traditional Victorian pubs .

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