Dublin is Ireland’s third-smallest county, yet a third of the country’s population lives there. This city has been the largest settlement of Ireland since the Middle Ages and it makes a wonderful tourist attraction thanks to its great history and many pubs.
If you are heading to Dublin, then it might be helpful to know some less known facts and fun things about this city so here are some of the most interesting ones.
The Name of Ireland's Capital
The name of the city of Dublin originated from the Irish word Dubh Linn which means “black pool.” The city was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, who used to use the Dubh Linn lake to tie up their trade ships.
Strange Phrases
If one of the Dublin locals asks you, “do you know the five lamps,” then it is best not to answer. It is their way of telling you to shut up or back off. No one knows where this saying came from, but this saying is part of Dublin’s inner-city culture. The actual five lamps are situated in Dublin’s North Strand area at the junction of five streets.
The Mountains Are Hills
The highest mountain in Dublin is the Sugarloaf, which is 423 meters high but it does not meet the criteria required to claim mountain status. Therefore, Dublin’s so-called mountains are not actual mountains, but they instead classify as hills.
The O'Connell Bridge
The O’Connell Bridge was the most fashionable route in the city of Dublin and is still considered to be at the very heart of the city and its people today. However, this bridge was initially made up of rope when it opened in 1794. It was not very stable and could only carry one man and a donkey at a time.
Eventually, this bridge was given a wooden structure in 1801 to make it more secure. This bridge is also the only bridge in Europe that has the same width and length.
A Place for the Young and Famous
If you visit Dublin, do not be surprised if you spot a celeb or two. Dublin has a very liveable environment with a culture that attracts thousands of tourists each year, which means that the chances are great to spot a celeb strolling around the street of this city.
About 50 percent of the population in Dublin is under 25 years of age which make Dublin the city with the youngest population in all of Europe.
Pubs, Pubs, and More Pubs
If you are visiting Dublin with the idea to experience the nightlife, then get ready to do a lot of pub-crawling as this city has no less than 1000 pubs. However, keep in mind that there are a few of them that are a must visit, including The Oliver St. John Gogarty Put in Temple Bar. The oldest pub in Dublin is the Brazen Head, which was established in 1198 AD as a coach house.
The City of Guinness
Ireland is known for its beer brand, Guinness. The founder of Guinness brewery is Arthur Guinness who managed to develop one of the most successful beer brands worldwide. Daily, there are 10 million pints of Guinness produced in Dublin.
This beer can be found in over 120 countries while brewing of Guinness takes place in about 50 different countries.
Plenty of Old Landmarks
Dublin has a vibrant history and heritage and therefore, it is not uncommon to find several landmarks in this city which date back hundreds of years. Dublin Castle is an excellent example of one of these old landmarks. This castle was founded in 1204.
The Book of Kells is another old attraction that is one of the most visited sites in Ireland, located in the library of Trinity College.
Not the Only Place Named Dublin
Even though the city of Dublin in Ireland is a unique place to visit, its name is not so uncommon. The name Dublin was given to other places as well. One will be able to find twelve Dublins in the USA, six in Australia, and one in Canada.
The Trinity College
The Trinity College in Dublin is one of the most prestigious colleges in Ireland and was modelled after Oxford and Cambridge Universities. This college was founded in 1592 and it is a college of the University of Dublin, also known as the “mother” of a new university.
Famous graduates of Trinity College include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Bram Stoker.
Home to Famous Irish Musicians
Many of Ireland’s famous musicians are from Dublin, including the Dubliners, Thin Lizzy, Sinead O’Connor, and U2.
Some of the back catalogues of albums from the band U2 were even recorded in Dublin. At the Windmill Lane Studios, one will come across the “U2 Wall,” which is covered in graffiti from fans from all over the world, as this band used to record some of their early work in these studios.
Home to More Famous People
Dublin was home to George Bernard Shaw, an Irish critic, polemicist, and playwright who has received a Nobel Prize for literature in 1925.
Another playwright who lived in Dublin and who was also a novelist and an essayist is the Irishman Oscar Wilde. He wrote various forms of plays throughout the 1880s before he became famous in London in the early 1890s. One of the acclaimed novels that he is remembered for is “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
Furthermore, Bram Stoker who created Dracula came from Dublin, together with some prominent Hollywood actors, including Maureen O’Hara, Brendan Gleeson, Gabriel Byrne, and Colin Farrell.
Final Thought
It is understandable that Dublin has an endless list of exciting facts thanks to its long history in time. The best way to learn more about this city and hear some of its favorite tales is by taking a guided tour or hanging out with some of the locals at a pub.
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