The Poddle once served as Dublin’s main water source until the 13th century. Supplying the city with fresh water, the Poddle flowed alongside the Dodder and was vital for areas like James’s St. Basin and the Castle. Over time, watercourses and early pipe systems delivered water to private homes, contributing to the city’s growth.

Liberty of St. Patrick’s – as it was and as it is.
30 Jan 1901YE OLDE CITIE LIBERTY OF ST. PATRICK’S – AS IT WAS AND AS IT IS. A most excellent suggestion was made weeks ago by a correspondent in tie columns of…
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A Quaint System
12 Aug 1923A QUAINT SYSTEM ACCUSTOMED as we are to a plentiful supply of water at high pressure, and, in cases of fire, to the services of. a, skilled brigade, it is…
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Relief of Dublin Distress
23 Dec 1924Further details of the comprehensive scheme of works prepared by the Dublin Borough Commissioners for the relief of unemployment, for which the Government has allocated £45,000 to be expended in wages before March 31,…
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Bubbles about Dublin – Fountains
30 Jan 1927Ancient Water Supplies ‘By ” TOMAS S. CUFFE WATER , in our Niobe of a nation,forever a seasonable subject. As early as the year 1254 water was conveyed to Dublin…
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Make Liffey Beautiful
18 Feb 1938As the volume of water for the Liffey scheme at Poulaphouca was controlled, why not use it to make the Liffey always an ornament, said Mr. Stephen Gwynn, the well-known…
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When Dublin Monks had trading fleet – City’s Ancient Rivers
22 Nov 1938Much of the interesting history of Dublin’s old rivers was told to a meeting of the Old Dublin Society by Miss Lily M. O’ Brennan . when she dealt with…
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Fill Her Up Please-With Water
2 May 1958The ratepayers of Dublin are in business, says the “HERALD”. Man with the Inquiring Mind-exporting water of all commodities! Fill Her Up Please-With Water I had the telephone directory in…
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St. James Gate
24 Mar 1960St. James’s Gate, been a favourite district for breweries. The situation was particularly suitable for the industry as it lay on the main thoroughfare to Dublin from the corn-growing districts of the central plain. The…
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The Poddle at Mount Argus
8 Apr 1967The Poddles principal claim to fame is that its waters once formed the moat at Dublin Castle, and provided some part of the water supply for the ancient city. Today…
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The Liberty Watercourse
22 Mar 1968The Poddle River at Harold’s Cross makes almost its last appearance before going underground. This was part of the old Watercourse serving the Liberties of St. Patrick’s, dating back to…
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Street of the Tanners
25 Apr 1969Not so long ago, geography consisted of a simple smattering of seemingly unchangeable economic facts—Dublin for porter and biscuits, Belfast for linen and ships, Cork for cattle and butter that…
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Across The River…
4 Jun 1970We crossed the Liffey last night from Capei Street to Wellington Quay to visit the new offices of the Irish Life Assurance Company, who were holding a small party to open the…
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Old water pipes found
9 Nov 1970TIMBER water pipes believed to be about 250 years old were found about five feet below ground level by Dublin Corporation workmen at Weaver’s Sq., off Cork Street. The pipes…
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The watercourse
1 May 1972THERE has been much useful representation about preservation of national monuments, street facades, canals, open spaces, etc., in relation to urban life. What prompts this letter is the first blow…
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Bad planning may bury ancient water course
25 Jul 1972THE 700-YEAR- OLD City Water Course — once a complex of the little Dublin rivers and canals flowing through old Dublin and now out of sight underground—has left behind a…
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The Dublin rivers that vanished from sight
14 Aug 1984THE PODDLE RIVER was the most important to old Dublin. It came down from above Tallaght, through Templeogue and Kimmage and Harold’s Cross, through the Coombe, and Bride Street, to…
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Viking Dublin
25 Oct 1988A THOUSAND years ago Dublin, though smaller and mainly built on the south side of the Liffey, was as thriving a port as it is today. Viking longships sailed from…
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Watery Ways – when the Dodder helped out the Poddle
3 Oct 1990Indeed, Dublin has had an organised water supply system for nearly 750 years. When the medieval city was only 50 acres in extent, the river Poddle served the people’s needs,…
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