How Tallaght and other Dublin areas got their quirky names
Dublin itself is derived from the Irish words “dubh” and “linn”, which literally translates to “Black Pool”. It was given this name because the Poddle stream met the River Liffey to form a deep pool at Dublin Castle.
The city’s original name – Baile Ath Cliath – means the “town of the ford of the hurdles”.
It’s fair to say that the neighbourhoods in the capital have their share of stories behind the names too.
Read more: Dublin phrases that will baffle non-Dubliners
From Crumlin to Tallaght, here is how parts of Dublin got their unusual names.
The Red Cow
This area seemingly took its name from an eighteenth-century tavern called The Shoulder of Mutton that had a sign of a red cow.
Now, the pub, area and interchange share one name.
(Image: Red Cow Moran Hotel Facebook)
Crumlin
Crumlin means “crooked valley” known as Lansdowne Valley. The valley was formed by glacial erosion and is now divided by the River Camac.
The valley is located in front of Drimnagh and is made up of a vast amount houses with plenty of recreational parkland.
Leopardstown
The place that is now famous for Horse Racing evokes images of big cats like leopards. But it was actually people with leprosy who were kept outside the city.
Tallaght was named in a similar way, the town name means plague pit.
Drimnagh
Now, the home of the Black Forge, Drimnagh comes from the word druimneach, meaning a place with ridges.
Neolithic settlers found a funerary bowl in a burial site. The site was demolished, but the bowl is on view in the National Museum.
(Image: Gareth Chaney/Collins)
Foxrock
It comes from a landowner called Thomas Foulkes who lived nearby in Shanganagh.
Goatstown
Would you believe that once upon a time goats froliced in Goatstown? Well that’s where the name comes from.
Kimmage
Taking its name from the river Poddle that runs through it – camaigh uisce means “winding water” in Irish – it was an area of estates and farmland outside the city.
Dolphin’s Barn
It never housed aquatic mammals, but was home to the Dolfyn family from the 1200s on.
Phoenix Park
The famous park rose from water rather than ashes: the Irish Fionn Uisce (clear water).
(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
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