Skip to main content
Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath / Dublin City Council

Main navigation

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
  • Events
Menu
Menu
Advanced Search

Main navigation (mobile)

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
  • Events
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Council
  3. Your City Council
  4. The Lord Mayor of Dublin
  5. History
Language switcher
  • English
  • Gaeilge

Dublin City Coat of Arms

Back to History

Dublin's Coat of Arms is the identifying emblem of the city and has been in use, in one form or another, for at least 400 years. The full Coat of Arms shows three burning castles on a shield, flanked by two female figures

Share
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via WhatsApp
Image of the City Coat of Arms, Lord Mayor's Coach

One of the female figures holds a scale and depicts Justice (without the usual blindfold), the other has a sword representing Law, while each holds an olive branch. Below the shield on a scroll is the city's motto, Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas, which translates as "the obedience of the citizens produces a happy city".

The origin of the Coat of Arms is unknown, but there are numerous theories, including:

  • The castles are watch towers outside the city walls.
  • The castle is Dublin Castle and is repeated three times because of the mystical significance of the number three.
  • The castles are not castles but represent three gates into the ancient Viking city.
Contact Details

Lord Mayors Office

Telephone Number
01 222 6200
Email Address
[email protected]
Share
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via WhatsApp

In this Section

  • History of the Office
  • City Regalia
  • Dublin City Coat of Arms
  • Key Dates
  • Lord Mayor's Coach
  • Lord Mayor's Coat of Arms
Close

Main navigation

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
  • Events

Footer menu

  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Who Does What
    • DCC Alerts
    • News and Media
    • Policies and Documents
  • Using dublincity.ie
    • Website Accessibility
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sitemap
  • Statutory Obligations
    • Freedom of Information
    • Data Protection
    • Access to Information on the Environment
    • Protected Disclosures
    • Lobbying
    • Official Languages Act
    • Ethics
    • Public Sector Duty
    • Bye Laws
    • Sell to government
  • Get in Touch / Feedback
    • Contact Us
    • Online Services
    • Make a Payment
    • Make a Complaint
    • Public Consultations

Customer Services Centre

Address

Civic Offices
Wood Quay
Dublin 8
D08 RF3F
Ireland

Telephone Number
01 222 2222
Email Address
[email protected]

Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath / Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Visit our other sites

© 2025 Dublin City Council