was "the North Strand Bombing". On the night of 31 May 1941, during the Second World War, German aircraft of the Luftwaffe bombed neutral Dublin. Four bombs were dropped in the vicinity of North Strand between 12:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. The fourth bomb was the largest and most destructive, landing south of Newcomen Bridge, directly in the centre of North Strand village, severely damaging the main street. A memorial park to the victims of the attack is now located near the Five Lamps. 1954 floods Following a country-wide storm in early December 1954, the River Tolka burst its banks and flooded parts of the North Strand. This followed heavy rainfall on 8 December 1954, coinciding with the spring tide on the morning of 9 December, which led to the collapse the Great National Railroads Bridge at East Wall Road. This acted as a dam, and forced the flood waters out into the neighbouring streets. In places, the flood water reached 4 feet, and resulted in the evacuation of 400 people, 50 by boat, and the death of two residents. Some basements and gardens recorded 8 to 10 feet of water. Three Army field kitchens were set up, with the Red Cross supplying hot meals and rations. 100 people unable to return to their homes were temporarily housed at Marlborough Street School, with a further 300 housed at St John Ambulance Brigade headquarters. In the period after the floods, several events and other fundraising activities were organised donate to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Fund in aid of the flood victims. Engineers from the Army cleared the bridge debris, and the fire service pumped out flooded houses. The houses were then fumigated by disinfectant teams. Building inspections were undertaken by the Dublin Corporation, who also dispensed free coal to those affected. Points of note The first milestone along the route from the GPO to Howth and Malahide is in North Strand at the corner of Bayview Avenue. The Strand Cinema, which originally opened at 149 North Strand Road in 1938, was demolished but its facade was preserved and now serves as the entrance to an apartment building. References External links North Strand on Googlemaps Photographs of the aftermath of the bombings Towns and villages in Dublin (city)