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10 things you didn't know about Dublin

  ‌Dublin

  1. The name Dublin is derived from "Dubh Linn," which means "Black Pool." Its official Irish name, Baile Átha Cliath, means “Town of the Hurdled Ford”.

  2. Temple Bar district is named after a Sir William Temple, who lived there in the 17th century.   Despite its reputation today, the name has nothing to do with drinking: "bar" is an Anglo-Saxon name for a gatehouse. ‌

  3.  Phoenix Park is the largest walled park in Europe. The street lamps that line the main avenue, Chesterfield Avenue, still use gas.

  4. Dublin's O'Connell Bridge is the only bridge in Europe which is as wide as it is long.

  5. 53% of the population of Dublin is under 35 years of age. ‌

  6. There are over 1000 pubs in Dublin.  The Brazen Head is reputedly the oldest: a pub has operated on its site since 1168.

  7. The original Guinness Brewery in Dublin has a 9,000 year lease on its property, for 45 Irish pounds per year. It will expire, together with the water rights, in 10759.‌

  8. Those awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin (including U2’s Bono) are given the right to graze sheep in St. Stephen’s Green, the park in the city centre.

  9. Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, was born in Dublin.  The name Dracula is thought to come from the Irish “Droch Ola”, meaning Bad Blood.

  10. ‌‌The remains of St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, are stored at a shrine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church.