Page 328 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

326  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Pubs in Ireland

The archetypal Irish pub is celebrated for its convivial KILKENNY: Kyteler’s Inn
atmosphere, friendly locals, genial bar staff and the “craic” – 27 St Kieran’s St, Co Kilkenny.
Road map C4. Tel 056 772 1064.
the Irish expression for fun. Wit is washed down with whiskey or In good weather you can sit in the
Guinness, the national drinks. Irish pubs date back to medieval courtyard of this historic coaching
taverns, coaching inns and she beens, illegal drinking dens inn and cellar bar. Food is served all
which flourished under colo nial rule. In Victorian times, day until 9pm (last orders). Traditional
music is played from Friday to Sunday.
brewing and distilling were major industries. The sumptuous An effigy of a witch sits in the window
Edwardian or Victorian interiors of some city pubs are a frame, a reminder of the story of a
testament to these times. Snugs, partitioned-off booths, are former resident, Dame Alice Kyteler.
another typical feature of Irish pubs. Traditional pubs can be In 1324, Alice and her maid were
pronounced guilty of witchcraft after
boldly painted, thatched or “black-and-white” – beamed with four of Alice’s husbands had died in
a white façade and black trim. Some rural pubs double as mysterious circumstances; although
grocers’ shops. All pubs across Ireland are smoke-free, but pardoned, Alice was again accused
many have beer gardens where smoking is permitted. but escaped, leaving her maid
Petronella to burn at the stake. 07
Good pubs are not evenly distributed throughout the country:
in the Southeast, Kilkenny is paradise for pub-lovers, while Cork KILKENNY: Langton’s
and Kerry possess some of the most picturesque pubs. The 69 John St, Co Kilkenny.
Lower Shannon region is noted for its boisterous pubs, especially Road map C4. Tel 056 776 5133.
Langton’s is noted for its black-and-
in County Clare where spontaneous music sessions are common. white exterior, Edwardian ambience
The West has an abundance of typical Irish pubs, and the many and the stylish glass interior at the
tourists and students guarantee a profusion of good pubs in back. The front bar is cosy with a low
Galway. The listings below cover a selection of pubs throughout ceiling. Pub food is on offer, and
there’s music and dancing at least
Ireland; for Dublin pubs, see pages 114–15. one night a week during the summer;
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are
Southeast Ireland ENNISCORTHY: The Antique Tavern club nights. 07
14 Slaney St, Co Wexford.
BRITTAS BAY: Jack White’s Inn Road map D5. Tel 053 923 3428. KILKENNY: The Left Bank
Jack White’s Cross, Co Wicklow. This traditional, timbered, black-and- High St, Co Kilkenny.
Road map D4. Tel 0404 47106. white pub is charming. The dark, Road map C4. Tel 056 775 0016.
A typical Irish country pub perfectly intimate bar contains relics such as Encompassing a sports’ bar, an
situated off the N11, which runs from pikestaffs from Vinegar Hill, the outdoor bar and a cocktail bar, this
Dublin to the Southeast. Simple but decisive battle in the 1798 uprising venue in an impressive old city
tasty pub fare is served until 9pm. that was fought outside town. Pub centre bank is vast yet hospitable.
A real local legend, this pub is mired lunches and local chat are on offer. There are plenty of nooks for quiet
in controversy, due to a murder In good weather, you can sit on the chat, as well as every option to be in
com mitted here in 1996. 07 balcony and enjoy the pleasant views the thick of it with room to dance
of the River Slaney. 07 and a sociable smoking area. 7
CARLOW: Teach Dolmain
Tullow St, Co Carlow. ENNISCORTHY: Holohan KILKENNY: Marble City Bar
Road map D4. Tel 059 913 0911. Slaney Place, Co Wexford. 66 High St, Co Kilkenny.
This multi-award-winning pub, in Road map D5. Tel 053 923 5743. Road map C4. Tel 056 776 1143.
Carlow’s town centre, has a cur ious At the back of the Castle Museum, Marble City Bar, the most famous
collection of unique pottery and this is essentially an evening-only pub in town, is named after the local
ancient artifacts from the town’s and pub with few pretensions. Its limestone, which becomes black
Ireland’s history. This pub has an unusual location makes it worth a when polished. This four-storey
excellent menu and is ideally suited visit for a pint or two – it is built right building has an Art Deco façade. A
for large groups. 07 into the base of an old quarry and a busy café-bar with no reservations.
vertical cliff forms part of the back Bar food till 9pm. 07
DUNGARVAN: Merry’s Gastro Pub wall of the bar.
Lower Main St, Co Waterford. KILKENNY: Tynan’s Bridge House Bar
Road map D5. Tel 058 24488. KILKENNY: Hibernian 2 John’s Bridge, Co Kilkenny.
Established in 1868, this is a relaxed, 1 Ormonde St, Co Kilkenny. Road map C4. Tel 056 772 1291.
friendly and popular pub on Road map C4. Tel 056 777 1888. This is the most genuine old-world
Dungarvan’s main street. The Sited in an old bank and part of pub in town, with an intimate interior
kitchen offers excellent pub grub the Hibernian Hotel, this rather lit by charming lamps. Quaint relics of
(the steaks are excellent), using formal pub, popular with a mixed the former grocery store and
locally sourced organic ingredients age crowd, still has its original pharmacy are on display, from a set of
where possible. There’s a good decor. Modern Irish food is available old scales to the drawers labelled
selection of craft beers and wines, and live Irish music every Tuesday with names of nuts and spices. Live
and occasionally live music. 07 year-round. 07 music from Monday to Thursday.

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