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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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,

Toners’ strikes golden tone among great pubs of Baggot Street

Toners Pub is a perennial fixture of the busy Lower Baggot Street social scene

200 Year Old Formula

A few plain facts point to the wonder of Toners pub of Baggot Street, Dublin 2. The pub is almost two hundred years in operation and yet it remains largely unaltered, working off the same successful formula it always has. Bearing in mind that it is within a stone’s throw of other truly great pubs, not least Doheny & Nesbitt and O’Donoghues, its longevity and simultaneous resistance to change are all the more impressive. Granted there have been a few additions over the years such as a beer garden out back and an upstairs function room, to cater for the larger, occasional crowds but the kernel of the pub is essentially unchanged, with a single television parked high in the corner, the only hint at modernity.