Dun Laoghaire will mark its 1500th anniversary next year with a year-long programme of events. The festivities will begin with a major concert and fireworks display on January 1st to welcome in Dun Laoghaire 1500. At a reception to launch the anniversary programme, the organisers said Dun Laoghaire traced its origins back to the days of St Patrick and earlier, and particularly to the High King of Ireland, King Laoghaire. The King used the town as his sea-fort (Dun) from which he raided Britain. His Dun was quite widespread, encompassing a large part of the existing town and seafront of Dun Laoghaire. The last remaining parts of the Dun were demolished in the early 1980s.
A special company, Dun Laoghaire 1500 Ltd, has been set up to organise the occasion and oversee the programme of events. The company was established by local business, community and cultural organisations and has the full backing of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce, the Dun Laoghaire Business Association, and local residents' and cultural organisations.
A Winter School will be set up to examine and discuss Dun Laoghaire - past, present and future. Bloomsday at the Joyce Tower, Sandycove, will be a major event in 1998.
There will be a special gathering of the Laoghaire/O'Leary clan from all parts of the world. Organisers have been appointed in different parts of the world to bring members of the clan to Dun Laoghaire from March 13th to 17th. There will be a special clan rally and visits to Tara, Co Meath, seat of the High King; the Dublin St Patrick's Day parade; and the local National Maritime Museum and Joyce Tower.
For the past number of years, Dun Laoghaire has been twinned with Brest, France, the headquarters of the French navy. A French festival is planned from July 10th to 14th.
Other events will include a marching bands event, a song contest, and a May Day Workers' Celebration.
The year-long festivities will also celebrate the major facelift and redevelopment currently taking place in the town and harbour.