De Barra’s Folk Club Brings Song to ‘Clon’

Sitting by the front bar counter, you’ll be surrounded by more pictures than pints!

Music at the core of ‘Clon’ & De Barra’s

“There’s Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert, Sydney Opera House and then there’s De Barra’s.”

(Christy Moore, August 2003)

This famous quote from the equally famous Irish folk singer & songwriter Christy Moore, somewhat gives the game away as to the secret of De Barra’s success. Situated on the central stretch of Pearse Street in the colourful town of Clonakilty, County Cork (or ‘Clon’ as it’s known to the locals), De Barra’s holds pride of place among the town’s renowned live music scene. Even before you cross the threshold of this charming pub, you are reminded of its musical heritage, given the stone plaque at the foot of the entrance doorway which states; ‘Noel Redding 1945-2003 Bass player with The Jimi Hendrix Experience played De Barra’s for over 20 years.’

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Art & Heart at Grogan’s Castle Lounge, Dublin

Grogan’s is near several speciality shopping centres; including the Westbury Mall

The Literary Pied Piper

The sign outside notes Grogan’s – or more officially, ‘J.Grogan’ / ‘The Castle Lounge’ to have been established in 1899, but in fact it is much more recent history that has been pivotal in shaping the unique atmosphere for which Grogan’s has become renowned. In 1972, the well-known barman Paddy O’Brien came to work in Grogan’s, having left his role in nearby McDaid’s pub. Paddy had tried to purchase McDaid’s and on being unsuccessful, severed all ties, in due course joining the team at Grogan’s. Paddy was quite a legend within the Dublin pub scene, serving and regaling a host of McDaid’s regulars and genius literary types including Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Behan, Flann O’Brien, J.P. Dunleavy and Liam O’Flaherty.

Waterside Drinks at The Bulman, Kinsale

‘The Bulman’ is so named in honour of a sunken merchant ship of the same name

Pier-side Pints

There can be few sweeter, simpler pleasures than to sit perched outside ‘The Bulman’ pub sipping a crisp pint on a sunny day. Located by the pier at gorgeous Summercove Bay, The Bulman affords you great views across to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork. Such was our good fortune on this particular Spring day earlier this year, when we found ourselves in just such an enviable position. We parked up by nearby Charles Fort and sauntered back down the hill towards the inviting sight of the pub’s colourful exterior. The sun was out and accordingly there was a lively crowd gathered out front, lapping up both the sunshine and the free-flowing drinks.

The Long History of The Long Hall

The Long Hall’s gilded & mirrored bar, decked with a variety of whiskies & spirits, glows softly against the cascading daylight

What Bliss with a Paper & Pint!

Ireland’s plethora of fine pubs offer many a rare delight, but to those in the know, the serenity & grandeur offered up by the ornately decorated ‘The Long Hall’ of George’s Street in Dublin city centre is something truly special. This is a dark, charming bar with a relaxing atmosphere

Worship a Pint at McDaid’s Chapel-Pub

A glowing Guinness sign hangs high above McDaid’s front door, flanked by tall chapel-like windows (Photo by Angelika Appelqvist)

A Great Friend or A Great Find

Even though McDaid’s has prime of place in Dublin’s city centre – just off Grafton Street, the city’s showcase shopping boulevard – it still feels like a trade secret when you slip into it for a sneaky late afternoon pint. This is how McDaid’s is best enjoyed; on the off-chance, ‘on the Q.T.’, with a drinking buddy, or without one, for a pint and a few moments of peace but most importantly, when it is not jam-packed, which it regularly is on weekend nights or during a big match. During these off-peak moments, the pub’s cavernous charm, smaller crowds and view to the street through its huge windows make it the perfect place

J. Curran’s Shop Bar, Built of Sturdy Stock

Curran’s charming shop-like front points at its ongoing role as a general merchant

Half shop, Half pub, Full of character

In Dingle, Co. Kerry, you are truly blessed with a variety of cherished pubs, not to mention the breathtaking beauty of the Dingle Peninsula itself and its Atlantic coastline. Among them though, one establishment summarises the history of the Irish Pub like no other – J. Curran’s Shop Bar sitting atop the steep Main Street. On passing through the unassuming, shop-like front, you are presented with a bright n’airy room,

Chick-chat at Eugene’s, Ennistymon

Eugene’s Pub was a real gem.

Once in the Clare area, we thought why not see some of the other villages? One of the villages we decided to visit was Ennistymon; a quiet, small place and like so many villages in Ireland, it basically consists of a single main street.

Here we found Eugene’s, a pub with windows of leaded glass painted like those of a church. Damien explained to me that a sign outside of “Father Ted”, was of the main character of a T.V. show that was very popular in Ireland and even more so in the West. This was the second pub we had seen on our short westerly trip that  had a reference to this show (the other one being Kennys in Lahinch). The rain encouraged us to go inside this cosy looking pub for an evening drink.

Out West for a New Year’s Pub Quest

The fine beach at Liscannor Bay, Lahinch, Co. Clare

Our journey begins in the blustery village of Lahinch, which sits perched on the western edge of Ireland staring out proudly into gorgeous Liscannor Bay towards the great expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Well, truth be known, our journey began some twelve months previous, of a brisk January eve in the familiar surrounds of the Doheny & Nesbitt pub back in Dublin. If we’re being totally frank here, it could likely even be traced back to a few shifty swigs of Linden Village cider under an old railway bridge a full near twenty years previous but let’s not go there. It’s far too early in the morning and the stiff Atlantic gusts would cut right through you.