Dublin Pubs

The Irish pub is a unique national institution. One of its charms is that each pub has a very special character, imparted jointly by its regulars and by the owner and their staff. There are actors' pubs, economists' pubs, sporting pubs, dockers' pubs, singing pubs and quiet pubs.

Pubs have featured large in Irish literature. The first act of J M Synge's drama The Playboy of the Western World opens in a 'country public house or sheebeen, very rough and untidy. The events that took place in this sheebeen (similar to many found in Dublin at the time) were enough to cause a riot at the Abbey Theatre in January 1907.

In Sean O'Casey's drama The Plough and the Stars there is a scene where a prostitute is drinking whiskey from a wine glass while men, coming from a political meeting, carry the Republican tricolour into the bar. The crowds at the Abbey went wild, objecting to having the Republican tricolour in the same room as a common prostitute.

Visitors to Dublin amuse themselves by finding the Dublin pubs they have read about in their favourite literature. One of the most popular is Davy Byrne's in Duke Street, which was mentioned on James Joyce's Ulysses. Here Mr Leopold Bloom had a glass of Burgundy and a Gorgonzola sandwich, with a dab of mustard. That fine feast cost him seven old pence - it would cost a bit more now!

The Davy Byrne also features in James Joyce's short story Counterparts, where 'Nosy Flynn was sitting up in his usual corner' and is much amused by Farrington's tale of how he scored off his boss Mr Alleyne. Joyce mentioned the curling fumes of punch as one of the pub's attractions.

Each Dublin pub has its own character, although some of them can be rather touristy. Doheny & Nesbitt in Lower Baggot Street is a fine Victorian pub and well worth a visit - they also pull a very fine pint of Guinness.

Neary's, just off Grafton Street pulls in the theatrical crowd, being situated close to the Gaiety Theatre. It is handy for lunch or an early dinner and it pulls in the post theatre crowds and actors from the Gaiety for late night dinners.

The Brazen Head is said to be the oldest pub in Ireland, dating from the 12th Century. It is located on Bridge Street, by the River Liffey. The old courtyard is turned into a beer garden in the summer and counts the likes of Wolf Tone, Robert Emmet and Daniel O'Connell, as well as James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh and Brendan Behan among its patrons.

Kehoe's on South Anne's Street is a great Dublin pub and very popular. Don't expect to get a seat and if you want to enjoy it, come early - but it's well worth a visit.

If you like Irish music you should try O'Donoghue's on Merrion Row, just a couple of minutes from St Stephen's Green. There is live music most nights and the atmosphere is amazing. If you happen to be in Dublin on a Rugby weekend, either during the Six Nations or a World Cup, you could not be watching in a better place. Definitely a night to remember.

If you're looking for something a bit more trendy you might try Hogans on South St George Street, which is popular with the affluent twenty somethings. If cocktails is your thing you should try the Chocolate Bar or the Bar at the Clarence Hotel where they do great cocktails.