O’Connors, Doolin IT is truly incredible. Gus and Doll O’Connor are long gone from the famous house. The Russells are all gone. Over 1,000 rural pubs have closed down during the past three years. Doomsayers are claiming our economy is in deep trouble. The crucial tourism dollar has dived deep against the euro. The construction industry has downturned. The old free-a... Read more |
The Central Hotel, Miltown Malbay SO I’m in Pat Kelly’s old Central Hotel at the epicentre of old Miltown Malbay and it is the first time in 20 years and more that I have something approaching elbow room at the historic bar. And that’s only because it is the early evening and it is still eight or nine weeks away from Willie Week and the real crowd will not be in for a couple of hou... Read more |
Canny’s, Killanena BIG Liam Canny sits at the bar of the family pub in Kilanena, up there in the highlands of east Clare, and he’s watching his 17-year-old grandson Eoin pulling a pint. He’s going to be a big man too. Eoin is helping his father Martin on the night, the way Martin once helped out Big Liam when the place was busy like tonight. And the way Liam used hel... Read more |
The Creamery, Bunratty IT IS the early evening. I cross the old Bunratty Fairgreen, pass the old Morris van with creamery cans painted on its green backside, finish off my cigarette at the stony door into the Creamery Bar. The old castle across the road soaks in the golden gravy of another summer, air space is full of Ryanairs coming and going and even hungrier rooks ar... Read more |
Marine Hotel, Kilkee ACTUALLY this is far more about the Whit view from the benches outside the Marine Hotel in Kilkee than about the establishment itself but then we are in the lazy, hazy, crazy days now and that is surely permissible. I sat comfortably outside the Marine for an hour on Whit Sunday evening and I had a two very good pints of Guinness in front of me and... Read more |
The Long Dock, Carrigaholt HOURS before the opening of the big Maytime festival of oysters and lobsters and music and song, I arrive in Carrigaholt. She is putting on her powder and lipstick like a young girl a-going to a party. Everywhere the façade of the seaside village is being painted, brightened, refreshed for the new tourist season. There is a buzz in the briny air. T... Read more |
Michael Kerins, Ennis THERE is something special about the pubs that are closest to the Courthouses of Ireland, especially on the days when the Court is in session and being called to the bar can take on a different meaning altogether! And that’s why I dropped into the fine establishment of Michael Kerins across from Ennis Courthouse last Friday afternoon. The Copper J... Read more |
Malachy’s Pub, Quin I HAVE one vital piece of advice to offer to all who come to the merry doorstep of Hassett’s of Quin, better known simply as Malachy’s, and that is never shake hands with Malachy! I found that out the hard way last week when the man himself welcomed me into the back bar where the music was raising the roof. And he seized my hand and shook it. An... Read more |
