"Alive Alive Ho..." a Dublin Travel Page by Kushelkitten

Everyone called the city "Dublin" but its real name is Baile Átha Cliath. The name means "The Settlement of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles". So why is it called Dublin? The name comes from Dubh Linn meaning "black pool". The river Podel ran past Dublin Castle out into the Liffey. Behind the castle it formed a round "pool" and that was called "Dubh Linn". Apparently people mistook the name of the pool for the name of the city. The River Podel is still there but runs underground.

When one arrives at the Dublin Airport the Celtic name of Baile Átha Cliath is on the roof in big letters. So when you arrive you are in the right place.

"Alive Alive ho..." Molly was singing about her wares, Cockles and Muscles, but the phrase applies to Dublin too. It is a very vibrant city. I wasnt sure what to expect as one doesn't see photos of Dublin like those of London, Paris, Berlin, etc. Arriving though I was pleasantly surprised.

The city with a population of around 505,000 it certainly seems bigger. Walking down streets like Grafton, Westmoreland, or O'Connell in the afternoons one would think one was in New York the crowds of people are so thick. I know even walking down the main shopping streets of Hamburg it is only so crowded during Christmas and that is generally because of the booths set up for the Christmas Markets.