If you’re off to discover the craic of Dublin on your next weekend activity break, then you’ll probably want to know some cool facts to help plan your trip when you arrive. Whether your knowledge stops and starts with the home of Guinness, shamrocks and leprechauns, or you consider yourself half-Irish, these facts were even unknown to us!
- Dublin (Dubh Linn) is gaelic for “Black Pool” which was originally a lake Vikings used to moor their boats – and can now be found in the penguin enclosure in Dublin Zoo.
- Almost 50% of the population of Dublin is under the age of 25 – so it’s full of life and energy!
- Visiting to taste a pint of Guinness with the locals? If so, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do so as the city drinks 9800pints PER HOUR between 5:30pm on a Friday and 3:00am on Monday!
- This might be because there are a whopping 751 pubs in the city of Dublin so if you can't find a seat, you'll not struggle to find another bar!
- The oldest pub in Ireland can also be found in the city – The Brazen Head has been there since 1198.
- If you’re going to Dublin as part of a romantic weekend, then you’ll be reassured to hear that St. Valentine’s relics are actually kept underneath the Whitefriar Street Church.
- The originator of modern vampires – Bram Stoker, wrote the novel Dracula in Dublin back in 1897.
- U2 might have been given the freedom of Dublin city but do you know what that means? The band can now graze sheep for free in St. Stephen’s Green – a busy park in the middle of Dublin!
- Before every MGM movie you hear that famous lion roaring…guess where he was born? Yep, Slats was used in all 1924-1928 MGM movies and was born in Dublin Zoo!
- This isn’t the only link to Hollywood though as the famous Oscar statuette was designed by Cedric Gibbons – who was born in Dublin.
Feel like you know a bit more about the city? Why not consider it for your next weekend break? Dublin is easily reached from all parts of the UK & Ireland, and our short breaks ensure that you see the top sights and immerse yourself in the Irish culture. There is a whole lot to do in Dublin (in case you couldn’t guess from its more obscure history outlined above!) from visiting the Guinness Storehouse where you’ll get a free sample included in any tour to the bustling nightlife of The Temple Bar area, you’ll find the host city friendly and welcoming no matter what you’re there to see on your activity break.