1. Literary History: Dublin is known as a UNESCO City of Literature, home to famous writers such as James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, and W.B. Yeats. The city hosts a variety of literary festivals and events, including the Dublin Literary Award, which is one of the richest literary prizes in the world. 2. Viking Roots: Before becoming a prominent European capital, Dublin was originally founded as a Viking settlement called "Dubh Linn" (meaning "black pool"). Evidence of this Viking heritage can be found in various archaeological sites around the city, including the Dublinia museum, which focuses on the Viking and medieval history of Dublin. 3. Unique Public Parks: Dublin is home to some unique public parks, including St. Stephen’s Green, which was once a private park for the wealthy but is now a popular public space. Another lesser-known gem is the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, which is dedicated to the memory of those who fought in the First World War and features beautiful gardens and monuments designed by the renowned landscape architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Dublin's housing market is experiencing significant pressure due to high demand and limited supply. As of 2025, house prices are forecast to rise by up to 8% following strong growth in previous years. The city faces a severe housing shortage, with the residential property vacancy rate dropping below 5%. There are approximately 240,000 housing units in Dublin. Around 60% of residents own their homes, while 40% rent. The median rent price is about €25 per square meter per month, while the median purchase price is approximately €5,500 per square meter for apartments. New apartment developments in Dublin increased by 8% in 2024, with over 17,500 units under construction across nearly 200 sites. However, construction activity in Dublin City has declined recently, with new dwelling completions falling by 46.4% in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. Public and social housing play a crucial role in Dublin's market, with the city council aiming to provide the maximum allowable provision (up to 20%) for social, affordable purchase, and cost rental housing in new developments. Cooperative housing is also present but represents a smaller share of the market. The rental market remains tight, with rents for new tenancies in Dublin rising 6.3% year-on-year in early 2024.
The Dublin City Council is actively addressing housing challenges through several initiatives: The Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026 sets a target of 9,087 social housing units to be delivered by 2026. This includes new builds, regeneration projects, and purpose-built accommodations for seniors and travelers. The council aims to deliver 4,512 units on existing local authority land through projects like Dorset Street, Bonham Street, and Glin Court. To increase affordable housing, Dublin City Council is implementing the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which includes Affordable Purchase and Cost Rental schemes. The goal is to provide homes at prices averaging €250,000 for purchase and rents at least 25% below market rates for rental units. The council is also promoting urban consolidation through infill development, backland development, and reuse of existing housing stock. They are actively working to reduce vacancy and underuse of existing buildings. Other initiatives include the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund to resolve infrastructure gaps, the release of public land for development, and the introduction of special development zones to speed up planning processes. The council is committed to sustainable development, incorporating green infrastructure and energy-efficient technologies in new housing projects to create more environmentally friendly and livable communities.