In the 1980s and 1990s, a number of areas in theRepublic of Ireland held year-long festivals commemorating historic anniversaries. The country was in an economic depression at the time and these were excuses for some civic pride; the anniversaries chosen were often rather arbitrary[1] and were chosen by the relevantlocal authority to promotetourism.[2]
The "Dublin millennium" was proposed bycity manager Frank Feely to be held in 1988, commemorating Gaelic KingMael Seachlainn II's conquest of the Viking city of Dublin.[2] The corporation agreed in December 1985, prompting a historian to point out that the conquest had actually occurred in 989 and to suggest the year "was chosen quite arbitrarily for the 'millennium' because it is coming up soon, not long after the Galway 500 and the Cork 800".[2][3]
^Reynolds, Albert (8 November 1989). "Written Answers – Border Projects Funding.".Dáil Éireann debates. Vol. 392. Oireachtas. c. 2047. Archived fromthe original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved25 March 2010.
