Dublin: 10 Things You Didn't Know

Ireland's capital city Dublin has fast become onethan any other European capital. Amazing but true!
of the most visited short break city destinations7. The home of The Dubs, as they are fondly
in Europe. It seems these days that anyone andknown is Croke Park. The Dubs are the Dublin
everyone has been there, done it and seen it all inGaelic Football team. Croke Park is recognised as
Dublin. Besides being home to Guinness, Trinitybeing one of the best Stadiums in the entire world
College, The Temple Bar and Grafton Streetdue to its size and shape which creates a natural
there is far more to Dublin that initially meets theamphitheatre effect.
eye.8. Dublin is home to the second largest outdoor
1. Dublin is called Baile Atha Cliath in Gaelic andpark in the world-The Phoenix Park. This is the
dates back to the 9th century. It was originally alargest park in Europe and second only in the
Viking settlement.world to Central Park in New York.
2. At one stage O' Connell Street, the city's main9. The biggest crowd ever assembled in Ireland
street was regarded as the widest street ingathered in the Phoenix Park in 1819 to a rally led
Europe.by Daniel O Connell calling for the freedom of
3. Dublin is also a county as well as a city but isIreland from English oppression and rule. Over 1.5
actually one of the smallest of the 32 Irishmillion impassioned people gathered to hear O
counties.Connell proclaim "that the freedom of Ireland is
4. The head of the Irish government is called Annot worth the shedding of one drop of blood".
Taoiseach, which translated literally from Gaelic10. The freedom of Dublin city has only been
means "leader"bestowed on a small number of people including
5. The home of the Irish parliament is in DublinNelson Mandela, U2 and Bob Geldof. This honour
and is called The Dail. The three major politicalcarries the unusual privilege of allowing its'
parties based in The Dail are Fianna Fail, Fiannarecipients to graze sheep free of charge in St
Gael and Labour.Stephens Green, one of Dublin's best known
6. Dublin has less pubs per head of the populationlandmarks.