The Oldest Pub in Ireland is definitely worth a visit!
Ireland’s pubs are the place to be when it comes to fun and good Irish hospitality. There’s nothing quite like perching on top of a bar stool or chair with a creamy pint of “the black stuff”, or whatever your favourite tipple.
Infectious rhythm of traditional Irish music, cosy, open fires and a community with tradition and a love of storytelling. Friendships are formed and memories are made, the hospitality never fails. So, find a chair, order a round and enjoy Ireland’s iconic pub scene.
Top 10 Famous Pubs In IRELAND
- Tigh Neachtain, Galway City
- THE Stag’s Head Dublin
- Mutton Lane Inn, Cork City
- Sean’s Bar, Athlone
- Temple Bar Dublin
- The Long Hall Dublin
- The Brazenhead Dublin
- Matt Molloy’s, Bridge Street, Westport, Mayo
- Michael Flannerys Traditional Irish Bar, Limerick
- Hargadon’s Bros. Sligo
Tigh Neachtain, Galway City
Founded in 1894, some of the most talented Irish traditional musicians on the planet have played in Tigh Neachtain including Sharon Shannon, Brendan O’Regan, Deirbhile Ni Bhrolchain, Kevin Hough, Breda Smyth and Brian Lennon.
Tigh Neachtains stocks a large and varied selection of drinks at the bar, from little known craft beers to rare and vintage whiskey’s and scotch. We are positive there is something for everyone at Tigh Neachtains. And if your looking for something special we also stock our own home brewed beers which we hope you will love as much as we do.
If you’re hungry we’re here for you! We serve a lunch menu and light bites, with all food locally sourced.
We have live music throughout the week, so drop in for a few tunes! Here at Tigh Neachtains we are always getting involved with something, we love supporting local cultural festivals and groups. We are big advocates for arts and music and we live to celebrate the wonderful offerings from some of the best home grown talent there is.
Tigh Neachtain is located on the corner of Cross Street and Quay Street in the heart of Galway City. Since 1894, the former home of prominent animal rights activist Richard Martin has been a meeting place since it first opened its doors for a diverse and eclectic clientele.
Tigh Neachtain’s strong connection with Galway’s arts and musical communities adds to the allure of its already welcoming interior. Whether you are looking for a seat by the fire on a chilly winter’s day or to soak up the atmosphere of Galway city while enjoying a drink in our beer garden, Tigh Neachtain’s door is always open.
The Stag’s Head Dublin, Est 1770s
Great pub, great pints, great food, great craic.
You truly capture a sense of the hidden Ireland when you accidentally stumble upon The Stag’s Head. Finding it is akin to discovering a rare treasure as it is concealed through a narrow passageway off Dame Street, although access can also be gained through Exchequer Street or Georges Street. When you enter inside this feeling of discovered booty is greatly intensified as a virtual paradise of culture and old world values confronts you. This is probably Dublin’s best preserved Victorian pub – and everything here is of authentic Victorian origin. Take time to look around and savour the sumptuously carved Victorian mahogany fittings, the mosaic marble tiled floors and granite tabletops.
Visiting the Stag’s Head is a wondrous experience whether you call when the premises is cosy, warm and glowing at night time, or in early morning when this old repository of liquid culture is radiantly illuminated by wafts of sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows.
The mahogany bar, capped with red Connemara marble, follows the classic Victorian architectural pattern, being long and punctuated by exquisite partitions that divide into private compartments or stalls.
History
Though a tavern has existed on this site since the 1780’s, this premises first attained great fame in the 1830’s as ‘John Bull’s Albion Hotel and Tavern’. This was one of the most sought after premises of the age in close proximity to ‘Dublin’s Theatreland’ and the fashionable stores of Dame Street and College Green. A popular music hall business was developed on the site, a trend continued by proprietors Alica and Henry Murphy during the 1840’s. William Wormington succeeded them here in the 1860’s and James Kennedy took the reins in the 1880’s.
Birth of the Stag’s Head
The Stag’s Head was the brainchild of Westmoreland merchant George Tyson who came to Ireland in the 1870’s and established a thriving Menswear and Haderdashery business in Grafton Street, from where he was appointed ‘outfitter and shirtmaker to the Lord Lieutenant’. He acquired this premises in the early 1890’s and commissioned leading architect J.M. McGloughlin of Pearse Street to build Dublin’s most advanced and distinctive Victorian pub – and the first in the Capital to enjoy electric light. The new creation opened its doors to the Dublin public in May 1894 amid majestic fanfare and distinguished patronage including the Lord Lieutenant and the most respected members of contemporary Victorian society. Tyson’s name is still to be seen on the large clock on the outside of the building. Another outstanding vestige of this era is the little parlour lounge discreetly situated behind the main bar; in former times this area served as a fashionable Victorian smoking room.
Don’t miss the great craic of one of Dublin’s most renowned Traditional Music sessions that can be enjoyed downstairs in the Stag’s Tail. Private Parties, Corporate functions and Group Bookings for food and drinks can be accommodated in either of our spacious and private lounges.
Mutton Lane Inn, Cork City
A Cork pub much admired, the Mutton Lane Inn is probably one of the oldest drinking establishments in the city outside of the North/ South Main Street axis. Situated off St. Patrick’s Street, Mutton Lane is one of many alleyways that lead into the famed English Market and used to be where live sheep were run into the market at one time.
Take some time to appreciate the important mural running the length of the lane.
Commissioned by Cork City Council and the owner of the pub, it was completed by Anthony Ruby and is as Cork-centric as you can get. Unusual – in that every man jack in the mural is alive and kicking – sit on one of the barrels long enough and one of them is bound to pass you by. There are a few stories embedded into the mural, which locals will be glad to share, and the work has never been vandalised – only ever admired.
Venture inside and the Mutton Lane Inn is dark, wooden and candle lit.
The staff are exceptionally friendly, the music is always good and, to encourage conversation, there is NO TV. Ask about the pictures above the bar when you get a chance. Two of our famous Lord Mayors will be looking down on you, along with JFK and Jackie as well as Johnny Cash.
Open each day from 10.30am, it’s always a busy spot but you’ll somehow find a seat. The atmosphere is unique and it really is a rocking heritage pub for all ages. Visit any good book shop in Cork to pick up a copy of the O’Driscoll brothers’ excellent read – ‘The History of the English Market in Cork’. This book will give you a real flavour of the history in this area of the city.
The pub once had the greatest sales of whiskey in Ireland per square foot as the custom was that butchers and cattlemen would leave a drop or two as payment for their junior staff on leaving the market at the end of a long day. Even today the market is an ever present and Staff don’t mind if you bring some of the delicacies of the Market into the pub for a bite to eat.
The Irish civil war was tragic but thankfully relatively brief. This long, narrow bar was divided right down the middle between pro Treaty and anti Treaty forces during this time but the peace – and more importantly – the atmosphere always held. If you really want to understand the history of Cork and, in particularly, the character of its citizen, then chance reading another great book – ‘The battle for Cork’ by John Borgonovo.
Frankly, once you disover the Mutton Lane Inn, you could spend a whole week here and Cork’s nightlife just wouldn’t be the same without it.
3 Mutton Lane, Cork
Welcome to Sean’s Bar
The Pints Are Always Flowing & The Clientele Is Always Diverse
Situated in the Heart of Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Galway, Sean’s Bar is part of the life and soul of Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Sean’s plays host to visitors from all around the world. Whether absorbing the history, listening to music, visiting with friends and family, or simply enjoying the perfect pint, the appeal is equally strong for everyone. Listed in both “25 of the Most Incredible Bars in the World” and “50 Bars to Blow Your Mind” by Lonely Planet, a visit to Sean’s is a must! Even more amazing, Sean’s Bar was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Ireland’s Oldest Pub. Find out more about why Sean’s is not only the oldest, but one of the best-loved pubs in the world.
With music 7 nights a week, live bands, flowing pints, electric atmosphere, and that Good Ol’ Irish Craic, no wonder Sean’s Bar has been the chosen destination for many for over 10 Centuries.
Temple Bar Dublin
A tradition of a genuine, warm welcome and first rate friendly service, is the hallmark of the friendliest watering hole in Dublin. Whether you are alone, with a group of friends, the craic is mighty and you will always feel at home at The Temple Bar
The Long Hall Dublin
Celebrating over 250 years in business. Established in 1766 this shrine to antiquity is one of Dublin's oldest, most beautiful and best loved pubs, abundant in traditional charm and exuding genuine Victorian originality, the interior dates from 1881. The title The Long Hall is derived from Dublin publore as a consequence of the long narrow hallway snug, that ran parallel to the back bar. The pub is the product of splendid Victorian design symmetry in which the sum of its parts including elaborate gold leaf enhancements, meticulous handcrafted wood carvings, beveled and ornate glass all come together to create one of the iconic and leading lights of 20th century Dublin pub life.
Over decades, politicians, playwrights and potwallopers have imbibed here side by side. Attentive Bartenders, a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere await you. Renowned for great Guinness. Open Daily from 12 Noon
The Brazenhead Dublin
The Brazen Head has a well-deserved reputation for great food, serving both traditional and contemporary dishes. Famed for our traditional stews of beef and guinness and Irish stew, these hearty dishes combine all the ingredients in one bowl.
The Brazen Head hosts the very best of Irish Traditional music. Musicians from all over Ireland come together to share their love of music. Depending on the night you visit, you may catch a traditional session or a more contemporary band playing well known ballads.
MATT MOLLOY'S, BRIDGE STREET, WESTPORT, MAYO
Matt Molloy’s is the best known Westport pub in Japan, Alaska and probably Timbuctoo.
Matt and the illustrious band the Chieftains have brought is name to a vast and varied audience, along with a taste of the traditional music that flows from it..
Michael Flannery's Traditional Irish Bar
Michael Flannery’s Pub is well known to everyone in Limerick. Located on Denmark Street, alongside the pedestrian shopping area of Limerick and just around the corner from the famous Milk Market, its vibrant red shopfront is set off against a beautiful stone façade.
The owner, Michael, is one of Limerick’s longest serving publicans having entered the family business in 1959. Michael’s grandfather, William Flannery opened the first Flannery’s pub in 1898 and after an apprenticeship with his uncle Bill Ahearne of The Palace Bar Dublin, Michael took the reins of the family business and has been in situ since.
Hargadon’s Bros. Sligo
A Modern Tradition
Walking off Sligo main shopping street into Hargadons is like taking a step back in time, as its delightful and charismatic interior is almost the same as when it first opened.
The present building situated at 4 & 5 O’Connell Street, Sligo was built in 1864 by Bernard Collery, a local merchant, who was also a member of Sligo Town Council and a Member of Parliament representing Sligo.
The businesses carried on included general grocery and the retail and wholesale of beer, wine and spirits based in the cellars and bonded warehouse at the rear of the building.
After Mr. Collery’s death in 1909 the property was acquired by Messrs Patrick & Thomas Hargadon who gave the property its name. Acquired in 2006 by R. & E. Monahan as part of the development of the adjoining Johnston Court Shopping Mall, Hargadons has since been sensitively restored to its former glory while keeping its original architecture, fixtures and fittings, its ambience and eclectic atmosphere.
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