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Dolphin's Barn

Irish: An Carnán
Suburb
The Grand Canal passing through Dolphin's Barn
The Grand Canal passing through Dolphin's Barn
Dolphin's Barn is located in Ireland
Dolphin's Barn
Dolphin's Barn
Location in Ireland
Country Ireland
Province Leinster
County Dublin
Local Authority Dublin City Council

Dolphin's Barn is a busy part of Dublin, Ireland. It's located on the city's Southside, mostly in the Dublin 8 area. Its name in Irish is An Carnán, which means 'the (small) cairn or mound'.

What's in a Name?

The name Dolphin's Barn might come from an old family called Dolphyn. They owned a storage building here a long time ago, in medieval times.

Another idea is that the name comes from an even older Irish name. This was Carnán Cluana Úi Dhunchada, meaning 'the little cairn of the meadow of the Úi Dhunchada'. The Úi Dhunchada were important leaders in Leinster from the 5th to the 11th century. So, the name could mean 'Dunphy's Cairn', which later became Dolphin's Barn.

Where is Dolphin's Barn?

Dolphin's Barn is in the inner city of Dublin. It is surrounded by other areas like The Liberties, Inchicore, Islandbridge, Kilmainham, and Crumlin.

Key Features of the Area

The Grand Canal flows right through the middle of Dolphin's Barn. It passes under Dolphin's Barn Bridge. A historical waterway called the City Watercourse also used to go through this area. It carried water to the City Basin.

Sports in Dolphin's Barn

Dolphin's Barn is home to Templeogue Synge Street GAA. This club owns Dolphin Park. They also let a local hurling club, Kevin's Hurling Club, use their grounds. An old football club, Dolphin FC, also used to play here.

The famous Dublin marathon race passes through Dolphin's Barn. Runners go down South Circular Road during the marathon.

Local Amenities and Services

Dolphinsbarn
Dolphin's Barn Fire Station at night

Dolphin's Barn has one of Dublin's fire stations. It is located at the corner of Parnell Road and Rutland Avenue.

Jewish Cemetery

Dublin's official Jewish cemetery is located near Dolphin's Barn, on Aughavannagh Road. It was started in 1898 by Robert Bradlaw. This new cemetery was needed because the older Ballybough Cemetery was getting full. The cemetery was dedicated to Sir Moses Montefiore.

Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital

The Coombe Lying-In Hospital moved to modern buildings in Dolphin's Barn in 1967. It is now known as the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital. This hospital specializes in caring for women and babies.

Dolphin House Apartments

Dolphin House flats, Dublin 8, Ireland 17
One of the courtyards in the Dolphin House complex

Dolphin House is a large group of apartments in Dolphin's Barn. They were built in 1957 and have 392 apartments. It is Dublin’s biggest public housing complex. As of 2023, Dublin City Council was working on a project to update and improve these apartments.

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