The Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198.

The Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub. In fact there has been a hostelry here since 1198. The present building was built in 1754 as a coaching inn. The history of the Brazen Head Dublin is fascinating- continue reading on!

Location of the Brazen Head
The Brazen Head is located on Bridge Street. This is the area from where the original settlement that was to become Dublin got its name. The Irish name for Dublin is Baile Átha Cliath – (pronounced: Ball-ya-Awha-Clia) which means “The Town of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles”. Beside the pub the Father Matthew Bridge crosses the river. It was at this very spot that the original crossing of the river was located. Here reed matting was positioned on the river bed which enabled travellers to cross safely at low tide.

It is easy to see therefore why an inn close to the bridge was always a good idea to refresh travellers who had travelled a long distance. In the days when people travelled by coach the Brazen Head was a coaching inn and hotel. Here teams of horses could be changed while the weary travellers refreshed themselves with the excellent food and drink for which the Brazen Head has always been famous.


What’s in a name!
The name ‘Brazen Head’ relates to a 13th century legend of a bronze or brass head mounted on marble that could predict the future. The head reputedly would answer any question put to it. The only problem was that the head could only answer with “Yes” or “No”, so questions put to it had to be very carefully phrased!