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.

Tynan’s Bridge House offers a Bridge to the Past

We never did find out why Tynan’s was star-spangled-bannered on the weekend of our visit

Prime location

By the banks of the River Nore in medieval Kilkenny City, in the shadow of the dominant Anglo-Norman Kilkenny Castle, Tynan’s Bridge House Bar sits perched at the southerly edge of John’s Bridge. It’s an easy pub to spot given its prime location and bright blue facade, so it’s hardly a secret to recommend it, but on the off-chance you might choose to keep walking past, do yourself a favour and drop in. Tynan’s is Kilkenny City’s oldest pub, having been established in 1703, albeit originally as a grocer-pharmacy. In 1919, Michael Tynan took over the premises and converted it into a bar.

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

Lively Lenehan’s, Kilkenny City

Lenehan’s is slightly off the beaten track, but well worth the stroll over to it

Off the Beaten Track

Somewhat outside the centre of Kilkenny City you will find the lovely traditional Irish pub, Lenehan’s. Situated on the junction of Barrack Street and Castlecomer Road, the pub lies away from the main party-goin’ strip where crowds paint the town red on a regular basis. Or should we say, paint it black & amber (the colours of Kilkenny’s mighty hurling team)!? Whilst not as old as Tynan’s Bridge House Bar – Kilkenny’s oldest pub – Lenehan’s nonetheless has equally as much charm.

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,

O’Donoghue’s, A True Dubliner

Outside O’Donoghue’s familiar black & white exterior

O’Donoghue’s, Our Old Friend

O’Donoghue’s is our go-to pub. There, I said it, there’s no mystery to it. Rail, hail or shine, no matter what the occasion, O’Donoghue’s can cover it. It’s not the prettiest, the most comfortable nor the most steeped-in-history of Ireland’s pubs but by god, it is one damn fine boozer. If you’re looking simply to pop in somewhere for a drink over the newspaper or while catching the match on T.V., O’Donoghue’s is ideal. If you’re peckish, the guys there will whip up a toasted sandwich for you. If you’re after a proper, full-on night out among a lively, mixed crowd, O’Donoghue’s guarantees it, with a bustling, varied clientele heaving all the way from the old bar on one side, through the beer garden across to the newer part of the bar.

Brennan’s (The Criterion) offers stately retreat in motley Bundoran

The view from the back lounge across into the main, front bar. Brennan’s offers an oasis of calm on the busy main street of bustling Bundoran. (Photo by Angelika Appelqvist)

Born on St. Patrick’s

With St. Patrick’s Day just passed once again, it calls to mind our visit to the charming Brennan’s (aka. ‘The Criterion’) pub in the coastal town of Bundoran, Co. Donegal. Brennan’s opened in 1900 on St. Patrick’s Day and has been delighting patrons ever since. Few pubs that we have visited on our travels, have left such an indelible impression as Brennan’s. It is a place entirely locked in time, unspoilt and genuinely offering a glimpse of a bygone era. One of the common traits of these fine, old pubs is their capacity to steadfastly remain authentic and unaltered in the face of a rapidly, changing world right outside their doorsteps. Nowhere in Ireland is this resilence more pronounced than in lovely Brennan’s, sitting discretely on the main street in brash, tourist-focused Bundoran. What lies beyond its understated frontage is a pub of delightful character, offering tranquility, charm and homeliness.