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Books, Maps & Other Resources Ireland & Northern Ireland Genealogy & History More Ireland, Northern Ireland & Irish Resources BOOK - Dublin - Daughter of Merchant Kings. By: P.D. Whelan. 
This is a historical novel centred
on the development of Dublin as a settlement and important trading
post from the eighth century. The waves of invasion and
counter-invasion are linked together by Evlana, a member of the
Tuatha De Danaan who chose to inhabit the dark pool where the Rivers
Poddle and Liffey meet, following the defeat of her people by the
Celts. The Celts are represented by Finian, a king's son who turns
his back on his kingdom to establish trading links in Europe. In
turn his son, Dermot, brings home a wife from France and it is their
daughter, Dervilla, who occupies much of the narrative.Captured, held hostage and raped by Norseman Harald, she devotes her life to seeking vengeance on the man and the warlike people who have stolen her inheritance. The fortunes of war mean that Dublin/Dyflin changes hands many times during the course of the ninth century and the conflict between Dervilla and Harald, intensified by the torn loyalties of their son Asmund, is the channel through which the author relates the history of the city. The detailed descriptions of both location and artefacts points to a wealth of research into the subject, with only one or two jarring notes. For instance, when the seafaring Finian is contemplating buying a horse from Ronan, his wife Orla says to him, "You can talk to him after Mass tomorrow". While it is probably entirely accurate, the phrase itself seems to belong more to the mid-20th century than the 8th century. However in general this is an enjoyable lesson on the history Dublin wrapped up in a well-constructed work of fiction. 333pgs, Softcover, ISBN 1894372-02-6
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