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Ill SOME NOTICE OF THK
is frequently termed Ath-Cliath-Cualann. To carry this
roadway across the Liflfey unless by a bridge or structure of
some kind raised above ordinary highwater mark was im-
possible, and such a structure formed of timber or hurdles,
the only material then used for that purpose was doubtless
that which in the figurative language of the time was termed
an Ath-Cliath or ford of hurdles.
Mr. Haliday having thus traced the history of Dublin bridge
through all the English and Irish sources it now struck him
that perhaps something might be learned of it from the
Scandinavian records.
The bridge had been built by the Ostmen. He had found
a reference to it in the old Irish manuscript called the " Wars
of the Gaedhill and the Gaill "
(or the Danes and the Irish), in
connexion with the battle of Clontarf, furnished him by his
friend the Rev. Dr. Todd, who was then engaged in editing
this manuscript. Much more might be contained in the
Scandinavian records. He sent therefore to London, Paris,
and Copenhagen, and purchased every Scandinavian his-
torical work that he could hear of as likely to throw light on
the subject of his study.
Dublin as the The history of the Ostmen or Scandinavians in Ireland
the
Stain?' had hitherto been studied through Irish sources.
The ravages of the Danes were carefully recorded in the
Irish Annals. But no one almost had thought of having
recourse to Scandinavian sources.
By means of these a new world was opened to his view,
Dublin, the chief object of his studies, assumed a new
importance. It was always known to have been founded
by a Scandinavian king, and to have been the chief place
of Scandinavian power in Ireland. But why Dublin,
with its little river Liffey issuing into the Bay through
a waste of land, should have been preferred by the
Scandinavians as their capital, to Cork, Waterford, or
Limerick, all Scandinavian cities, with noble harbours, does
not at first view appear. But when their settlements in