Misery Hill in Dublin - sometimes a place name says it all

In Ireland it is not unusual to have place names associated with a particular warrior, hero or deity. They can often be linked to those magnificent ancient stories involving the Gaelic gods of the Tuatha Dé Danann. However, place names do not always come from magical times and legends from long ago. Some have a brutally real meaning that point to a site of particularly negative more recent events. Take for example Misery Hill in Dublin, the name of a street that now stands in the redeveloped and  fashionable Dockland area of Dublin. An area that now hides its dark past, but whose street names continue to expose a sinister history.

Researchers into the history of Dublin give good reason why the area could deserve to hold the name Misery Hill. Pointing out that in the early 13th century, a leper hospital stood not far away. Those unfortunate sufferers of leprosy who could find no place for them at the hospital, would have to stay at a place well away from other people. That place was Misery Hill. Other sources for the name have been suggested. One being that the bodies of those who had been executed were often taken to Misery Hill. They were then left rotting and hanging in chains for months as a warning to others. 

So for those who visit and stay in that now fashionable area of Dublin, perhaps even in the nearby prestigious five star Marker Hotel.  Just have a look at the names of the surrounding streets, like Misery Hill, because sometimes a place name says it all.