Dublin City Centre - CURIOUS IRELAND

The Greek cartographer Ptolemy made the first reference to a settlement here called ‘Eblana in 140AD. Its current name comes from the Irish ‘Dubh Linn’ meaning ‘Black Pool’ referring to a location where The Poddle and The Liffey Rivers met and formed a dark pool of water. The city’s second name – Baile Áth Cliath – means ‘the town of the hurdled ford’ in reference to an area where the 4 principal routeways of Ireland converged at the mouth of the Liffey. At this point, ‘hurdles’ of interwoven saplings were used as a type of bridge to straddle the estuary.

Molly Malone, Suffolk Street, Dublin City 1988

emmet2024-10-21T21:28:14+00:00

Dublin's most famous statue The Molly Malone Statue was designed by Jeanne Rynhart and based on a popular song of a 17th-century fictional character to celebrate Dublin's first millennium in 1988. It tells [...]

Molly Malone, Suffolk Street, Dublin City 1988emmet2024-10-21T21:28:14+00:00

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin City b.12th-19th century

emmet2024-03-10T19:25:52+00:00

A cathedral full of medieval relics Christchurch is located on a site of a wooden church built in 1038 by Sitric Silkbeard, the first Norse King of Dublin. This was replaced by a [...]

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin City b.12th-19th centuryemmet2024-03-10T19:25:52+00:00

The Anna Livia Sculpture, The Croppies Memorial Park, Dublin City 1988

emmet2024-02-17T15:01:45+00:00

The former 'Floozy in the Jacuzzi' The Anna Livia Sculpture was designed by the sculptor Éamonn O' Doherty and commissioned by businessman Michael Smurfit, in memory of his father for the 1988 Dublin's [...]

The Anna Livia Sculpture, The Croppies Memorial Park, Dublin City 1988 emmet2024-02-17T15:01:45+00:00

The Daniel O’Connell Statue, O’Connell Street. Dublin City 1880

emmet2024-10-21T20:47:08+00:00

The Great Liberator The O'Connell Statue was commissioned in 1880 to commemorate Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847). It is located on O'Connell Street, the street also named after him. O'Connell was born in Kerry and [...]

The Daniel O’Connell Statue, O’Connell Street. Dublin City 1880emmet2024-10-21T20:47:08+00:00

Custom House, Custom House Quay. Dublin City 1791

emmet2024-10-21T20:12:32+00:00

Dublin's most architecturally significant building Custom House Quay was built between 1781 - 1791 and is regarded as a masterpiece of European neoclassicism. It was designed by James Gandon (1743 – 1823) who [...]

Custom House, Custom House Quay. Dublin City 1791 emmet2024-10-21T20:12:32+00:00

St Patrick’s Tower, Thomas Street, Dublin City 1757

emmet2024-10-14T17:53:35+00:00

Once the largest smock windmill in Europe This former windmill, now known as St Patrick's Tower, was the largest smock windmill in Europe. It was used to power the Roe Distillery on Thomas [...]

St Patrick’s Tower, Thomas Street, Dublin City 1757emmet2024-10-14T17:53:35+00:00

The Temple Bar, Temple Bar. Dublin City Est.1840

emmet2024-03-10T19:18:23+00:00

The largest collection of rare whiskeys in the country In 1599, Sir William Temple, a renowned teacher, and philosopher built a house here on newly reclaimed land from the River Liffey. In 1656, [...]

The Temple Bar, Temple Bar. Dublin City Est.1840emmet2024-03-10T19:18:23+00:00

Collins Barracks, Arbour Hill. Dublin City 1702

emmet2023-05-08T16:04:53+00:00

Once the largest military barracks in Europe Collins Barracks was built in 1702 and was one of the largest barracks in Europe. It was, with the exception of the Royal Hospital at Kilmainham [...]

Collins Barracks, Arbour Hill. Dublin City 1702emmet2023-05-08T16:04:53+00:00

St Audeon’s Church, High Street. Dublin City c.1190AD

emmet2023-05-08T16:02:54+00:00

Dublin's oldest church St Audeon's Church dates to 1190AD and has the distinction of being the only medieval parish church, retaining any original features, still in use within the city of Dublin. It [...]

St Audeon’s Church, High Street. Dublin City c.1190ADemmet2023-05-08T16:02:54+00:00

The Guinness Storehouse, St. James’s Gate. Dublin City 1902

emmet2024-10-21T16:17:36+00:00

Ireland's number 1 tourist attraction The Guinness Storehouse was originally constructed in 1902 as a fermentation plant for St. James's Gate Brewery. It took its styling from the Chicago School of Architecture and [...]

The Guinness Storehouse, St. James’s Gate. Dublin City 1902emmet2024-10-21T16:17:36+00:00

The Brazen Head Pub, Bridge Street Lower. Dublin City 1198 (license)

emmet2024-02-26T18:32:38+00:00

Dublin's oldest bar The Brazen Head Pub is a claimant to Ireland's oldest pub, dating back to 1198. It is definitely Dublin's oldest, however, the official title goes to Sean's Bar in Athlone [...]

The Brazen Head Pub, Bridge Street Lower. Dublin City 1198 (license)emmet2024-02-26T18:32:38+00:00

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Wood Quay, Dublin City 1191

emmet2023-10-05T15:52:48+00:00

Ireland's largest Cathedral This is the site of what is reputedly the earliest Christian site in Ireland. There has been a church here since the 5th century and in 1191 it was raised [...]

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Wood Quay, Dublin City 1191 emmet2023-10-05T15:52:48+00:00

The Ha’penny Bridge, Batchelor’s Walk. Dublin City 1816

emmet2024-10-14T22:27:37+00:00

One of the first cast iron bridges in the World The Ha’penny Bridge was originally named 'The Wellington Bridge' after The Duke of Wellington. It was then known as 'The Penny Ha'penny Bridge', [...]

The Ha’penny Bridge, Batchelor’s Walk. Dublin City 1816emmet2024-10-14T22:27:37+00:00

The Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin Docklands. Dublin City 2010

emmet2023-05-08T16:12:49+00:00

The 1st carbon-neutral convention center in the World Dublin's Convention Centre overlooks the River Liffey and was opened in September 2010. It was designed by the American-Irish architect Kevin Roche and is iconic [...]

The Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin Docklands. Dublin City 2010 emmet2023-05-08T16:12:49+00:00

The Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin City est.1872

emmet2023-05-08T16:11:45+00:00

The oldest & most modern rugby union ground in the world! This is the super modern Aviva Stadium located on Lansdowne Road in Dublin City. It re-opened its doors on 14th May 2010 [...]

The Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin City est.1872 emmet2023-05-08T16:11:45+00:00

The Samuel Beckett Bridge, Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin City 2009

emmet2023-05-08T16:14:05+00:00

Calatrava's Irish masterpiece The Samuel Beckett Bridge is located on the River Liffey in Dublin's Docklands. It was named after the famous Irish writer Samuel Beckett and designed by the famous Spanish architect [...]

The Samuel Beckett Bridge, Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin City 2009emmet2023-05-08T16:14:05+00:00

Trinity College. Dublin City 1592

emmet2023-05-08T16:14:56+00:00

Regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the World Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and was modeled after the collegiate universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It [...]

Trinity College. Dublin City 1592emmet2023-05-08T16:14:56+00:00

The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin City 1684

emmet2023-05-08T16:15:59+00:00

Ireland's Museum of Modern Art The Royal Hospital is considered to be Ireland's finest 17th-century building. It was built in 1684 as a home for retired soldiers and was designed by the eminent [...]

The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin City 1684emmet2023-05-08T16:15:59+00:00

Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners Church, Rathmines. Dublin City 1854

emmet2024-10-13T19:09:38+00:00

A dome destined for Russia This impressive church in Rathmines was built in 1854 and destroyed by a fire in January 1920. When the church was being reconstructed in 1922 this dome was [...]

Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners Church, Rathmines. Dublin City 1854emmet2024-10-13T19:09:38+00:00

The Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Street. Dublin City 1757

emmet2023-05-08T16:17:07+00:00

The oldest continuously operating maternity hospital in the World The Rotunda Hospital was originally known as 'The Dublin Lying-In Hospital' and was founded by Bartholomew Mosse in 1745. Mosse was a surgeon and [...]

The Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Street. Dublin City 1757emmet2023-05-08T16:17:07+00:00

The General Post Office, O’Connell Street, Dublin City 1817

emmet2023-05-08T16:19:31+00:00

The Headquarters for The 1916 Rising The G.P.O. was built in 1817 and is the last great Georgian-era public building in Dublin. It became famous forever when it was used as the headquarters [...]

The General Post Office, O’Connell Street, Dublin City 1817emmet2023-05-08T16:19:31+00:00

The Bank of Ireland Building, College Green. Dublin City 1733

emmet2023-05-08T16:21:49+00:00

The World's 1st building to house 2 parliamentary chambers This building was originally designed as Ireland's Parliament Building. Some of the greatest architects of the time including Edward Pearce, James Gandon, and Francis [...]

The Bank of Ireland Building, College Green. Dublin City 1733emmet2023-05-08T16:21:49+00:00

The Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin City 1775

emmet2024-02-20T21:19:36+00:00

A James Gandon masterpiece This site was formerly the location of a 13th-century Dominican Friary and housed the 4 Courts of Chancery, the King's Bench, the Exchequer, and Common Pleas. Before the completion [...]

The Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin City 1775emmet2024-02-20T21:19:36+00:00

Trinity College Campanile, Trinity University. Dublin City 1853

emmet2024-10-13T20:06:44+00:00

Trinity's iconic landmark Trinity College Campanile was built in 1853 to the designs of the famous Belfast architect Sir Charles Lanyon. It stands nearly 100 feet tall and has become one of Dublin's [...]

Trinity College Campanile, Trinity University. Dublin City 1853emmet2024-10-13T20:06:44+00:00

Central Plaza Dublin, Dame Street. Dublin City 1980

emmet2023-05-08T16:35:41+00:00

Ireland's only suspended building This building was formerly known as The Central Bank of Ireland and was designed by the brutalist architect Sam Stephenson in 1980. At the time it attracted a lot [...]

Central Plaza Dublin, Dame Street. Dublin City 1980 emmet2023-05-08T16:35:41+00:00

Embassy of the United States, Ballsbridge. Dublin City 1964

emmet2023-05-08T16:44:22+00:00

A modernist classic inspired by a 5th-century ringfort This striking building is the Embassy of the United States for Ireland. It was designed by the American architect, John MacL. Johansen, in consultation with [...]

Embassy of the United States, Ballsbridge. Dublin City 1964emmet2023-05-08T16:44:22+00:00

St Stephen’s Church, Mount Street Cresent. Dublin City 1824

emmet2023-05-10T16:28:29+00:00

Dublin's most charming church St Stephen's Church is a Greek Revival temple-style church built in 1824 and is fondly called 'The Pepper Canister Church' by locals. It was the last of a distinguished [...]

St Stephen’s Church, Mount Street Cresent. Dublin City 1824 emmet2023-05-10T16:28:29+00:00

Dublin Castle Courtyard, Dame Street. Dublin City 1779

admin2023-05-08T16:45:31+00:00

The administrative base of the English in Ireland for 700 years This location is the highest point in Dublin City and therefore the most strategic. It has been the location of a 6th-century [...]

Dublin Castle Courtyard, Dame Street. Dublin City 1779 admin2023-05-08T16:45:31+00:00