Interesting Facts About Dublin
What to Know About Ireland’s Capital City
“I don’t think I’ve actually drunk a beer for 15 years, except a few Guinnesses in Dublin, where it’s the law.”
Enjoying a pint (and some mocktails) at Doheny and Nesbitt’s in Dublin.
Why Dublin Captivates
Dublin, a city of cobblestone streets and lively pubs, offers a treasure trove of fascinating stories. From Viking graves to literary legends, there’s something here for every curious traveler. It is one of those cities that welcomes you from the moment you arrive!
We had always expected that Ireland would be lush and beautiful. What we didn’t expect, however, was how quickly we’d fall in love with its charm. This walkable city is so full of history. Its people are friendly, vibrant, and fun. There’s a sense of humor that breaks through and grabs you, making you want to be a part of the laid-back atmosphere. At the cozy pubs, where all are welcome, the aroma of fresh Guinness mingles with the sounds of traditional Irish music, inviting you to settle in and stay a while.
Dublin offers a fascinating mix of culture, history, and modern vibrancy. Whether you're planning a family trip, a romantic getaway, or an adventure with friends, Dublin is sure to captivate you. In this post, we’ll uncover some surprising and lesser-known facts about the Irish capital that will make you want to pack your bags and head there right away. Ready to explore some interesting facts about Dublin? Let’s dive in!
Literary Dublin: From James Joyce to Dracula
Dublin has been recognized as an UNESCO City of Literature since 2010. With a wealth of renowned writers including James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, and W.B. Yeats all hailing from the city, it has long been established as a city of literary excellence. UNESCO’s City of Literature program is part of a wider Creative Cities Network. There are 53 cities in 39 countries on 6 continents included.
Click on photo to enlarge and see descriptions.
Dracula may be from Transylvania but his creator was Irish! Abraham “Bram” Stoker, best known for his novel Dracula, was born in Ireland and attended Trinity College in Dublin. Written in 1897, the gothic horror novel was inspired by Vlad the Impaler, Prince of Wallachia in medieval Romania. The name was derived from the Latin dracō, “dragon,” but the Romanian language now includes a word “dracul” which means “the devil.
Guinness Beer & Company History
Guinness has a stunning property lease agreement with the city! Guinness began brewing in Dublin back in 1759. That same year, Arthur Guinness, age 34, signed a 9,000-year lease for the 4-acre property where it is located. To this day, the Guinness family still pays only 45 pounds, annually, in rent and will be able to continue that deal until the lease expires in 10759! (Apparently, long lease agreements are quite common in Ireland… just check out the end of our next fact!)
The Guinness Book of World Records was established by an executive of the Guinness Brewery back in 1955! Why would a beer company be involved in world records? It all dates back to a discussion between Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness Brewery, and his hosts during a European hunting expedition. The hunting party began wondering what the fastest game bird in Europe was.
The inability to determine the answer nagged at Beaver and drove him to begin compiling records in a book that was first published in the summer of 1955. It was meant to be a promotional item for the Guinness Brewery but Beaver soon discovered that lots of people were interested in knowing these facts. Today, almost 70 years later, the records team receives thousands of applications every month! They provide guidelines, rules, regulations, and adjudicators across the world who witness and verify records.
Incidentally, there’s even a world record for the world’s longest property lease. If you think the 9,000 year Guinness property lease is long, imagine a 10 million year lease! That’s the deal secured by a plot for a sewage tank adjoining the Columb Barracks in Mullingar County Westmeath, Ireland. This is just one of many “forever” leases found in Ireland!
About 1/4 of the pints consumed in Ireland every day are Guinness. In a city that’s home to so many pubs, it’s no surprise that a lot of pints of beer are regularly consumed. Guinness is the signature beverage for Ireland but has become a favorite choice around the world. The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin brews 3 million pints every day, which adds up to 1 billion pints per year! That’s just 1 of the 5 Guinness owned breweries in the world.
Cultural Highlights: Pubs & Family-Friendly Fun
Dublin is home to nearly 800 pubs! This might seem like a lot but Ireland actually ranks 3rd for the most pubs per capita in the world. The title goes to Slovakia, with Hungary ranking 2nd. While the legal drinking age in Ireland is 18, it’s common for younger people to indulge in a pint at home with family.
It’s important to remember that pubs in Ireland are different than Americans might expect. While bars in the U.S. limit bar access to only those over 21, Irish pubs are a gathering place where families are welcome to come and enjoy a meal, live music, and a lively, yet friendly atmosphere.
The oldest pub in Dublin is over 800 years old! The current building of Brazen Head, was constructed in 1754 but it is believed that a pub has been on the site dating back to 1198! While there is no physical proof that beer was being served that far back, there are documents from at least 1653 which would still make this the oldest pub in the city. The pub, which is located on Bridge Street, is the site of the original settlement that would grow to become the city of Dublin. The building features a castle wall exterior and a lively courtyard.
The Brazen Head was a frequent location for the meetings of the Society of United Irishmen. Formed in 1791, this group’s intention was to overthrow British rule and secure a national government. Two rebellions, 1 in 1798 and another in 1803 came from these clandestine meetings. Both attempts failed and Robert Emmet, 1 of the leaders, was hanged and then beheaded in nearby Thomas Street in September 1803.
Literary giant James Joyce likely enjoyed a few pints here. Poets, playwrights, and novelists like Patrick Kavanagh and Jonathan Swift are said to have spent time in the Brazen Head at some point. Today, visitors can enjoy live music, delicious food (we highly recommend Guinness Stew or Fish ‘N Chips), and a welcoming atmosphere in the comfortable, rustic pub.
Dublin boasts the largest city park in any European capital city. At 707 hectares, Phoenix Park was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660’s. It first opened to the public in 1747. The main gates of the park are open 24 hours a day, year round. Residents come to enjoy recreational pursuits and play a variety of sports or to enjoy the scenic surroundings. You could even catch a glimpse of a large herd of wild fallow deer who make their home in the park. Located only a mile and a half from O’Connell Street, it is home to a Visitor Center, Victorian Flower Gardens, a Biodiversity Information Center, the Dublin Zoo, and the official residence of the Irish President.
Interesting Trivia About Dublin
Dublin has a very young population. With approximately ½ of the city’s population under 25 years of age, Dublin has the youngest average population of any European capital city. In addition, the entire country skews very young when compared to the rest of Europe. About ⅓ of the entire population is under the age of 25. When you consider visiting Dublin with your kids, you can rest assured that you will be surrounded with a very youthful population and plenty of things to keep your kids interested and busy.
Dublin has its own microclimate. Thanks to being sheltered by the Wicklow mountains to the south and Howth Head to the north, Dublin boasts generally drier and warmer weather than the rest of the country. The city has cool winters, mild summers, and good moisture throughout the year.
While we were prepared for rainy days, we only experienced one short shower during our visit. The weather in Dublin is generally pleasant with temperatures ranging from an average low of 37 degrees to an average high of about 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Dublin experiences about 10-11 days of rain each month.
The warm season lasts from mid June through early September. This is the best time to visit the city. We highly recommend September after kids have returned to school, the weather is still beautiful, and prices for accommodations are reduced to off-season levels.
Public executions were once common occurrences in Stephen’s Green. If you wander through this beautifully maintained park in the heart of Dublin today, you’ll find a popular gathering place for a picnic or a peaceful escape from city hustle. However, most public hangings and executions took place in St. Stephens Green. Crowds would gather to witness floggings, hangings, and burnings. Overall, it is believed that 244 people were hanged in the Green between 1780 and 1795.
One interesting execution occurred on October 24, 1773 when Mrs. Herring was “burnt alive” (after being hanged for 15 minutes) in the Green after being convicted of murdering her husband.
The original MGM lion was from Dublin. The lion you see featured in the opening of MGM productions was born in the Dublin Zoo. The original “Leo” the lion, Slats, was born at the Dublin Zoo and made his first appearance as the living logo in 1924 while films were still silent. After the death of Slats in 1928, a series of lions were used including Jackie, from Sudan, who provided the roar that was recorded for use at the beginning of MGM talking movies. A sound stage was built around his cage to capture the recording of his roar. Jackie appeared in more than 100 films including the Tarzan movies of the 1930’s.
From 1931 to 1957, 5 more lions were featured. The 7th and longest-living lion, Leo (named after the MGM icon that he would later play), was also from the Dublin Zoo. He was the youngest lion and was actually “directed” by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock at one point. He began appearing in 1957, and was featured in films, TV shows, and even commercials until his death in 2021. Leo’s death brought an end to the era of living lions representing MGM. Today, the brand uses a CGI Leo.
Historical Treasures: Viking Graves & Medieval Tales
Dublin is home to the largest Viking cemetery outside of Scandinavia. Over 40 Viking graves have been discovered on the banks of the River Liffey. The majority of the burials date back to the 9th century! Vikings were first recorded off the coast of Ireland in 792 AD. They had heard that the island was full of gold and they came flooding in to take it. The Viking burials in Dublin account for nearly half of the Viking burials, with weapons, throughout all of the British Isles.
One of the world’s most famous artifacts is found in Dublin. The Book of Kells is a sacred, illuminated manuscript consisting of the 4 Gospels of the Christian New Testament Bible. It is named after the monastery of Kells in County Meath even though there are inconsistent accounts of whether the book was made there, or just brought there later. Scholars believe 3 different people worked on it based on differences in style within the work.
The book is housed in the iconic Trinity College Library. The gorgeous gold book was made by Celtic Monks around 800 AD. While the word “illuminated” might conjure an image of special lighting, it actually refers to a handwritten book that has been decorated with paint, often real gold or silver, and includes borders and illustrations that help the reader navigate and understand the text. Many historians consider this work to be the greatest manuscript of all time!
While the original manuscript would have contained the complete Gospels, only part of the book of John remains. The rest of the work may have been stolen, or even unfinished. In 1007 AD, thieves stole the original cover which featured gold and jewels. They ripped it from the book, leaving significant damage to the remaining book.
St. Valentine is buried beneath a church in Dublin. The patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers was originally executed and buried in Rome. He was later exhumed and is now interred in a secure vault beneath the Carmelite Church in Dublin. The Roman priest and physician was martyred during the persecution of Christians by emperor Claudius II. There are a number of churches throughout the world that claim to be in possession of his relics, including a skull on display in Rome and a shoulder blade in Prague.
According to legend, St. Valentine signed a letter “From Your Valentine” to his jailer’s daughter whom he had healed from blindness. Another legend claims that he defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from being conscripted to serve in war. Valentine’s Day, as a festival for lovers, dates back to the 14th century.
Architectural Wonders: Bridges & Spires
Dublin has a truly unique bridge. O’Connell Bridge, over the River Liffey, is the only traffic bridge in Europe that is as wide as it is long. Locally referred to as simply “The Bridge,” it marks the divide between the culturally different north and south sides of Dublin.
The first structure at this location, Gandon’s Carlisle Bridge, opened in 1794. By the mid 19th century, it was in desperate need of replacement. The new design incorporated some of the same features of the original bridge, including the 3 arches. New strips were built on either side of the original bridge. When the new sections opened, the middle part was demolished and replaced. The bridge that exists today, opened in 1880 and is three times wider than the original.
The Ha’Penny Bridge was Dublin’s first toll bridge. This pedestrian bridge was opened on May 19, 1816. Citizens were treated to 10 toll free days before a toll of a half penny was required. The bridge was meant to be named for Arthur Wellesy, the First Duke of Wellington and victor at the Battle of Waterloo. Instead, Dubliners called it Ha’Penny Bridge due to the half penny toll required to cross it.
After decades of neglect and haphazard repairs, the bridge became unsightly and unsafe. By 1998, the city had to decide whether to refurbish, demolish, or simply leave it as is, making it ornamental only. After much debate, a major effort was finally begun.
Over 85% of the original rail pieces were sent to Northern Ireland for repair, restoration, and painting. Garish lighting was removed and replaced with a more subtle recessed lighting design. A stepped anti-slip ramp replaced the steep deck of old. Finally, after a full year and €1.25 million, the bridge was reopened in December of 2001. It is estimated that 30,000 pedestrians cross the bridge each day!
The Spire of Dublin is the tallest freestanding sculpture in Europe. The Spire was unveiled in 2003 and rises to a height of 120 meters above O’Connell Street which is 25 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty! Originally, Nelson’s Pillar stood at the site until it was bombed by the IRA in 1966. Eventually, the Anna Livia Monument was installed to celebrate the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations. That statue was moved to Croppies' Acre Memorial Park in 1998 to make way for a new monument.
An international architectural competition was conducted to determine the design for the new monument. Ian Ritchie, a London-based architect who also worked on the glass pyramids of the Louvre, was selected to lead the Spire project which was delayed by the High Court several times.
The Spire is made up of eight stacked stainless steel cones. The longest section is 20 meters long. The base measures 3 meters in diameter and tapers to just 15 centimeters at the top. On windy days, the Spire sways more than a meter!
Officially known as An Túr Solas, which means “Monument of Light” in Irish, it’s also lovingly referred to by locals as the “stiletto in the ghetto,” “the spike,” or the “spire in the mire.” These nicknames are similar to the ones that describe some of the local statues we referred to in last week’s post about Dublin. A time capsule was buried under the Spire to inform future Dubliners about life in the 21st century.
Dublin’s history and unique culture make it a city that constantly surprises. Whether it’s uncovering its Viking roots, discovering its role in literary history, or enjoying a pint in one of its 800+ pubs, Dublin has something for everyone!
Have you ever visited Dublin or experienced one of its hidden gems? We’d love to hear your stories and thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re planning a trip, feel free to reach out with any questions or share your Dublin tips.
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