Dublin might be known for its creamy pints of Guinness and charming locals, but there’s more to this city than just great pubs and poetic souls. From hidden history, literary legends, and your favourite singers, we are spilling the fun facts that make this city as fascinating as it is interesting. Ready to see the Irish capital in a whole new light? Let’s get stuck in!
Before Dublin was Dublin, it was ‘dubh linn,’ meaning ‘black pool’ in Irish! This refers to a deep, dark tidal pool where the infamous River Poddle met the River Liffey, near where the Dublin Castle stands today. The Vikings liked it so much, they set up camp in the 9th century and the name stuck (sort of).
Fancy browsing chained-up and untouchable books? Marsh’s Library, dating back to 1707, is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland and still has its original oak bookcases. Back in the day, chaining books to the shelves was the only way to stop sticky-fingered scholars from ‘borrowing’ rare manuscripts permanently. Don’t worry, not all books are chained-up! You can still roam around and open other historic books. The best part is that the library is just a short stroll from citizenM Dublin St. Patrick’s hotel, so you can soak up some literary history before heading to your cloud-like king-sized bed.
The Brazen Head isn’t just an old pub - it’s an ancient one to be exact. This pub has been pouring pints since 1198AD, with visitors including revolutionaries plotting uprisings to literary greats enjoying a nice pint. Stop by for a pint of history - and some live music if you’re lucky.
Hidden inside the Trinity College’s long-room library is one of Ireland’s most treasured artifacts: the Book of Kells. Created by monks around 800AD, this beautifully illustrated manuscript is filled with intricate designs, mythical creatures, and enough gold leaf to make anybody jealous.
Before being the peaceful and green city park, St. Stephen’s Green was once a hunting ground - for witches. In the 17th century, suspected witches were tried and executed here, including the well-known midwife Darkey Kelly who was accused of sorcery and burned at the stake. Today, the only thing haunting the park is the odd hungover pigeon on the bench.
Paris may be the city of love, but Dublin is where the patron of love, St. Valentine himself (well… his remains), ended up. His relics were gifted to the a carmelite priest in the 19th century by Pope Gregory XVI as a token of appreciation for his inspiring sermons while in Rome, and are now kept in Whitefriar Street Church, making it an unexpected must-visit for romantics and the heartbroken alike.
The infamous Arthur Guinness was clearly in it for the long haul when creating his business. “Why,” you ask? Maybe because he signed a 9.000-year lease on the St. James’ Gate Brewery in 1759! Paying just £45 a year for the site where Guinness is still brewed today, it might just be the greatest real estate deal in history. Cheers to long-term planning!
To all thy poets out there, Dublin is where your favourite literary legends have been churned out. Think James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and more. It’s no wonder the city earned the title of ‘Unesco City of Literature.’ If you’ve ever been lost in a book, chances are a Dubliner had something to do with it.
How could we list all these amazing fun facts about Dublin without mentioning the most important fun fact? Well, it is to us - of course we had to give a quick shout out. Our 37th hotel, citizenM Dublin St. Patrick's, is placed right in the heart of Dublin, making it the perfect place to get some needed rest and relaxation after a day of exploring the quirkyness of the city. Dublin isn’t just a city - it’s a living, breathing storybook filled with wacky history, legendary pubs, and enough literary greats to fill an entire bookshelf. From ancient libraries filled with chained-up manuscripts to a 9.000-year lease on beer, there’s no shortage of fascinating finds hiding around every cobbled corner. Hankering to go and explore Dublin? Go on, grab your walking shoes (and maybe an umbrella), and come see it for yourself, mate!
After wandering through Dublin’s historic streets, you’ll need a place that’s comfy as it is stylish. Enter citizenM Dublin St. Patrick's hotel - where cloud-like XL king-size bed, mood-lit rooms, and a lobby made for lounging meets the perfect city-centre location. Book your stay now and make Dublin your home away from home.