In Depth in Dublin

Murky Origins

For most visitors, the very word “Dublin” may conjure up a heady, romantic mix of history, but it actually has a more prosaic origin. The name comes from the ancient Celtic words dubh linn, meaning “the black pool.” Specifically, it refers to a natural inlet where the River Liffey met the River Poddle, and the waters were dark and murky. Long since buried, the inlet is thought to be somewhere around Dublin Castle.