Why is Dublin called Dublin? We are standing in front of the Poddle. The Poddle is a river that flows through Dublin. It’s this river that holds the answer to our question. You see, at the spot where the Poddle meets the River Liffey, there once existed a large, dark pool. The Vikings called this pool “Dubh Linn”, meaning “black pool” in Irish. And that, my friends, is how Dublin got its name. The Poddle wasn’t just a namesake for the city, it was its lifeblood for centuries. This seemingly modest river was the main source of drinking water for Dublin for over 500 years, from the 1240s. Can you imagine that? This very river, now mostly hidden beneath our feet, quenched the thirst of generations of Dubliners. The Poddle’s journey begins in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, far from the city’s bustle. It meanders through the suburbs, including Templeogue and Kimmage, before finally joining the Liffey near the city center. The Poddle even played a part in some daring escapes. In 1592, Red Hugh O’Donnell and Art O’Neill, imprisoned in Dublin Castle, managed to break free. Their escape route? A drain that led them right into the Poddle’s flow, and from there, to freedom. Today, much of the Poddle flows unseen beneath the city streets. But its legacy endures, a silent testament to Dublin’s rich and layered past.
Saint John the Evangelist
Whispers of history echo from these stones. This is the site of Saint John the Evangelist. Once a vibrant church