The video above takes you on a walk through Dublin, TX — a small town of around 3,000 to 4,000 people located about 90 miles from Fort Worth. It's officially known as the Irish Capital of Texas, and what it lacks in size it makes up for in genuine history and character. David Bridwell came into town to perform at the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum's honors benefit, and while he was there, he explored the downtown strip, checked out the murals and storefronts, grabbed some food, and dug into the deep rodeo and music history that makes Dublin worth the trip.
Dublin Bottling Works and Downtown History
One of the biggest claims to fame for Dublin is that it was the first place to bottle Dr Pepper, dating back to the late 1800s at Dublin Bottling Works. The original building is still standing, and you can peek through the windows to see some of the old bottling equipment. If you time your visit right, there's a small store where you can buy sodas made on site. Beyond the bottling works, downtown Dublin has several museums packed into a short walkable stretch, including the Ben Hogan Museum honoring the famous golfer who was a Dublin resident. There's also a gazebo with a waterfall and the WMRI Historical Park, where you can see a cabin and an old grist mill — a quiet spot that gives you a real sense of the area's deep roots.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Dublin, TX?
Dublin isn't a big music town, but there are a couple of spots worth checking out if you're passing through:
- Lucky Vines Vineyard — A vineyard venue where you can catch live acoustic sets; Blake Mayer was performing when David stopped by.
- Red Barrel Bar and Grill — A local bar and grill that features live music on occasion.
The Rodeo Heritage Museum itself also hosts special events with live music, like the honors benefit featured in the video.
Rodeo Heritage and the Legacy of Johnny Duncan
The Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum preserves a history that goes back to 1937, when Everett Colborne brought his Lightning C Ranch to Dublin — at the time, the largest rodeo ranch in the country. The town embraced it fully, turning rodeo into a major community event with parades and packed streets. Things really took off when Gene Autry attended, became a partner, and helped bring Dublin's rodeo to Madison Square Garden, the Boston Garden, and the Houston Rodeo. Performers like Roy Rogers, Annie Oakley, and other famous TV stars of that era were part of the show.
The museum also honors Johnny Duncan, a country singer born in Dublin who recorded 14 albums and landed 30 chart singles in the 1970s. He wrote songs with names like Charlie Pride, Marty Robbins, Chet Atkins, and Conway Twitty. The honors benefit that night was dedicated to his memory, celebrating how he lived by Gene Autry's Cowboy Code — treating everyone with honesty, integrity, and respect regardless of background. His suit from a famous awards ceremony and other memorabilia are on display at the museum.
For food, Grand Clark's Grill had a solid buffet going — ribs, potatoes, mac and cheese, squash, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. Sister to Sister also put together a great plate. If you're making a stop in Dublin, you won't go hungry.