Kenlis (city)
Kenlis
Ceann Lios | |
|---|---|
City | |
 | |
| Etymology: "the head fort" | |
| Nickname: The White City | |
| Motto(s): Right and Mighty Forever | |
| Country |  Ossoria |
| Kingdom | Kingdom of Kenlis |
| Founded | 47 CE |
| Founded by | Seanán mac Rónán |
| Government | |
| • Type | Executive mayoralty and deliberative assembly |
| • High Queen | Tara Ní Sionán |
| • Lord Mayor | Seán Ó Díreáin |
| Area | |
| • City | 1,572 km2 (607 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,737 km2 (671 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 8,382 km2 (3,236 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 207 m (679 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • City | 7,961,989 |
| • Density | 5,100/km2 (13,000/sq mi) |
| Area code | 353 |
Kenlis is the federal capital of the High Kingdom of Ossoria, the capital of the Kingdom of Kenlis, and the ancestral seat of the Ó Sionán Dynasty. Kenlis is the largest city in Ossoria with approximately 8 million inhabitants.
Situated at the mouth of the Sínann River where it empties into the Heartwater via the Sínann Roadstead, Kenlis has always benefited from its access to both the interior sea and the longest navigable river in Ossoria. Its position allowed the ruling Ó Sionán clan to eventually come to dominate their home island and ultimately the whole of the Ossorian Home Islands. The area around Kenlis includes several military installations, including BCB Cléire (the Royal Ossorian Navy's primary base), Dún Beannchar (the local Royal Ossorian Army base), and BAB Tullachar (the local Royal Ossorian Air Force base).
City Districts
- Admiralty Island (Oileán Aimiréalacht)
- Dún Sínann (Dún Sínann)
- The Diplomatic District (An Ceantar Taidhleoireachta)
- The Federal District (An Ceantar Cónaidhme)
- Northside (Taobh ó Thuaidh)
- Riverside (Cois Abhann)
- Southside (Taobh ó Dheas)
- Waterside (Cois an Uisce)
- White Gate (Geata Bán)
Dún Sínann
Dún Sínann, known cuiloquially as "the Dún", is the ancestral seat of the Ó Sionán Dynasty and the official residence of the High Queen of Ossoria. The original fortified settlement was built atop a headland composed of dolomitic rock, enclosing an area of approximately 168 hectares, with the defensive walls constructed along the 41-meter tall coastal cliffs. Later the fortress was completely detached from the mainland by the combined effects of erosion and the building of a defensive canal across the isthmus and the entire 212 hectares of the island were enclosed. This fortified location is what gave the settlement its Gaelic name, Ceann Lios, which translates to 'the head fort'. Situated near what is now the Federal District, the location offered a naturally defensible position from which the Ó Sionáns could exert control over the strategically vital Sínann River where it joined with the Sínann Roadstead, allowing the kings of the fort to eventually come to dominate the entire river system economically and militarily.
Layout
The only approach to the Dún is a drawbridge which leads from a gatehouse on the mainland to its twin on the island itself. Each night, the two gates are locked and the bridge is raised in a ceremony that has persisted for centuries. The bridge and both gatehouses have been rebuilt over the years to accommodate simultaneous vehicular and foot traffic and are constantly under armed guard by the Ossorian Royal Guard. The outer battlements were built along the island's coastline, with two sets of inner walls built to divide the estate into three separate wards; the Lower Ward, the Middle Ward and the Inner Ward.
- Lower Ward
The Lower Ward is the only section of the Dún that is level with the mainland and open to the public. This ward houses a museum, an archive, and a treasury, all of of which are open to the public and do not provide access to the rest of the grounds. Dominating the center of the ward is a parade ground, where the Royal Guard holds its changing of the guard ceremonies, as well as an internal gatehouse which both leads up into the Middle Ward and serves as the Royal Guard's primary on-site barracks and armory.
- Middle Ward
The Middle Ward is the largest of the three sections and is situated atop the cliffs of the promontory. This ward houses a heliport, a smaller parade ground where official receptions of foreign dignitaries take place, and which leads to the main section of the estate where the main state functionary areas, such as the Royal Audience Hall and Grand Dining Hall, are located. Also located in this section are the official offices of the High Queen and other members of the Royal Family. This ward also holds the Dún's medical wing, offices for various executive and Household officials, VIP visitor suites, official apartments, servants' quarters, and various supporting functions. Access is strictly controlled by the Royal Guard.
- Inner Ward
The Inner Ward is reserved exclusively for the private apartments of the Royal Family. It includes a garden, a library, several studies, a cinema, and a fitness center. Access is forbidden without an explicit invitation from the Royal Family.
Oileán Aimiréalacht
Admiralty Island, Oileán Aimiréalacht in Ossorian Gaelic, is the headquarters of the Royal Ossorian Navy located in a repurposed sea fortress built on a group of six individual islands situated in the middle of the Sínann Roadstead.