During the 18th century, Dublin grew enormously in size and wealth that'd soon become the second city of the British Empire. However, this prosperity made Dublin an exciting city for the Protestant Ascendancy, members of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy who had denied basic civil rights to the native Roman Catholics. Hence the Act of Union between England and Ireland, abolished the Irish Parliament and drastically reduced Dublin's status. A long decline set in that only began to be reversed after Ireland became independent in 1922. The independence came about after the 1916 Rising and the subsequent War of Independence.Dublin has an illustrious educational and cultural past. Founded in 1591, Trinity College has graduated authors Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, and Oscar Wilde. Its library houses the 8th-century 'Book of Kells', the famous decorated gospel book made by Celtic Monks. Apart from its scholars, Dublin has become one of the well known cities in Europe and is recognised for its beauty, culture and friendliness.
