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My Favorite Pubs in Ireland and Northern Ireland!
Compiling any list of “Favorite Pubs” is tricky and dangerous! While scouting locations for the “A Proper Pint” film series, I’ve visited and drank in more than 400 pubs! (Here’s my MAP!)
This is a collection of some my favorite spots to enjoy a pint of goodness and great craic! Most of the pubs on this list are in rural locations or smaller towns because that’s where we focus the films on, and this list is by no means exhaustive! But you can not go wrong in any of these pubs.
- Keven Siegert, Producer/Director
30. Blouser’s - Westport, Co. Mayo
A fine little neighborhood pub with a terrific pint, friendly locals and wonderful owner, Tomás O'Grady! If you’re looking for a place with old world charm, open fire and good banter, this is your spot!
27. Mulligan’s - Dublin, Co. Dublin
Mulligans Pub was originally a shebeen, or an unlicensed drinking venue. It has been legal since 1782! The locals will regale you with lore and lies while you sip on what I claim is the best pint in Dublin!
15. Phil Ban’s - Leabgarrow, Co. Donegal
You have to take a ferry to the island of Arranmore to reach this beautiful little family-owned pub. It sits along a nice sandy beach with glorious views of the sea! The pub is a hub for social gatherings, and families and children are welcomed.
14. Foley’s - Inch, Co. Kerry
Everything you could want in a family-owned pub. This place a a true gem, located just a short walk from the famous Inch Beach. John and Fidelus Foley and the nicest people and it’s just a comfortable welcoming place with great food as well!
13. Maypole Inn (Ned’s Bar) - Holywood, Co. Antrim
Terrific, honest “Punters Bar”. Classic pub unchanged over the years.
There’s a cool Maypole outside the pub with a long tradition of festivals centered around it and the pub. The Maypole Bar was first licensed in 1857, and there have only been 3 proprietors. The first from 1857 until 1908, and the second from 1908 until 1967, since then it has been in the Carty family.
7. Bob Griffin’s - Dingle, Co. Kerry
Well what can I say about this place? My favorite bar in Dingle, with a fantastic pint. Normán runs the place and he is absolutely wonderful to chat with. Go here!!!
6. Tigh T.P.’s - Ballydavid, Co. Kerry
Go as far as you can to very bottom on Ireland, and you can find TP’s bar. It’s surprisingly large for the area and is set on top of a beautiful sandy beach, on the scenic Dingle Peninsula. Irish is the spoken language of the area, but owner Sean is eager to debate, bullshit and have a laugh with you in English as well! The views of the ocean from atop your bar stool are fantastic.
We are currently in production with a film about this pub and the surrounding area. Stay tuned for details!
29. J.J. Bowle’s - Limerick, Co. Limerick
The oldest licensed pub in Limerick, JJ Bowles, first opened in 1794.
Situated along the banks of the River Shannon, where the beer garden has lovely views of King John's Castle. There’s a cozy sitting room and a classic front room for enjoying the best pints in Limerick. Owner Reena will make you feel at home in any one of these areas and she makes a comforting hot whiskey!
28. Flannery’s - Limerick, Co. Limerick
Just a good old fashioned Irish pub where everyone chats with each other and the bartenders are quick with a joke or story. It’s well worn and comfortable, like hanging out in your grandparent’s living room.
26. Matt Molloy’s - Westport, Co. Mayo
The proprietor, Matt Molloy, is a flautist with one of Ireland’s most famous traditional-music bands, The Chieftains. Regular trad sessions take place in the back bar, with patrons hupping along beside a crackling fire – often with Matt himself supplying the airs. It’s always crowded, and always a great scene.
25. J. Coyle & Sons - Four Roads, Co. Roscommon
Simon Coyle, the fourth generation of his family to run the pub, pulled his first pint when he was five years old. This converted grainstore has been serving drink since the 19th century. Handsome brick and limestone building, cool interior and bar.
24. The Reel Inn - Donegal, Co. Donegal
A super friendly staff and live music every night. Most of the time owner John joins in on the festivities!
23. Crosskeys Inn - Toomebridge, Co. Antrim
The gorgeous old Crosskeys Inn is the oldest thatch pub in Ireland. It’s also a great looking pub with much of it unspoiled, especially in the back bar. Known for its traditional music and Guinness, the Crosskeys Inn is an authentic traditional Irish pub that dates to pre-1654.
20. Downe’s Pub - Waterford, Co. Waterford
If you want a pub with character, come here! I believe the current owner is seventh generation. They have Squash courts in the pub… Squash courts! They date back to the late nineteenth century when squash was more popular and there are people playing on the courts to this day. They also have a snooker room, three magnificent fireplaces, Victorian red velvet couches, and a medieval well that was discovered during one of the renovations. They also blend their own brand of whiskey here!
22. South Pole Inn - Annascaul, Co. Kerry
This pub was originally named and owned by Tom Crean, the most famous explorer in Irish modern history.
The pub is loaded with memorabilia and momentos of his extraordinary life. Across the road from the South Pole Inn you will see a statue of Tom Crean by the Irish American sculptor Jerome Connor who was also born in Annascaul. The Inn itself sits in a beautiful setting by the river with outdoor seating
21. Morrisey’s - Abbeyleix, Co. Laois
Morrisey’s is a large cavernous room with a warren of snugs created from antiques, odds and ends. The wall behind the bar features many vintage grocery items like tins of biscuits and sweets.
19. Tom Maher’s - Waterford, Co. Waterford
Maher’s doesn’t open until at least 8pm, but it’s the most beautiful bar I’ve ever been in. The back of the bar is a shrine to booze, beautifully arranged and lit, and the regulars are a lot of fun!
18. Crane Bar - Galway, Co. Galway
The Crane Bar on Sea Road is one of Galway’s best known traditional music pubs. It has long been a haunt of those who love to play and those who love to listen to them. This is one of those places where you can spend an absolute magical afternoon of listening to local trad music in an intimate setting.
17. Kehoe’s - Dublin, Co. Dublin
Kehoes is a traditional pub in the heart of Dublin. The Victorian style is a treasure of authenticity. You can view stained glass mahogany doors, old Irish snugs and partitions throughout the pub – and it’s home to one of the best pints in Dublin!
16. Linanne’s Lobster Bar – New Quay, Co. Clare
Linanne’s has a gorgeous pint of Guinness… absolutely sublime! The seafood here is incredible as well, “so fresh it was caught tomorrow!” is their slogan and they really do focus on fresh quality food. Order the Seafood platter, a couple plates of mussels, crab claws and brown bread and wash it down with the creamiest yummiest pints of goodness! This is one of my MUST STOP places in Ireland.
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4. Ma Murphy’s - Bantry, Co. Cork
The awesome Leonard family has been running the place since Billy and Patricia took over many years ago, and now their children Mary and Sean run things. The main bar is loaded with character, there’s a classic well-preserved snug at the front and an area that sells groceries. Next to the main bar, where the kitchen used to be when the family lived here, you can find local musicians playing. Out back, where there were once working stables and a blacksmith, there’s terrific music venue, “The Forge”. The sessions here by local musicians are the best I’ve seen in any pub in the country – it’s a great group of people all here to have fun and enjoy each other’s company – it feels like one big family! Finally, there’s a sprawling and sunny beer garden to hang out in when the weathers nice. It’s just a fantastic pub on so many levels – a MUST visit!
12. DeBarra’s - Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Legendary for music, DeBarra’s is a sprawling series of rooms and music venues. Musical instruments and photographs of musicians (many of them quite famous) adorn every nook and cranny of the walls. Noel Redding from the Jimi Hendrix band was a regular here for many years and the pub has been mostly unchanged through the years. Bobby and Eileen’s son Ray now runs the place and he has the place humming with musicians, poets and locals every night of the week.
11. Madden’s Bar Bar - Belfast, Co. Antrim
The best traditional Irish music and dance bar in Belfast. This is a classic Irish pub which celebrates its tradition, warmth and craic!
10. The Long Hall - Dublin, Co. Dublin
One of Dublin's finest and most famous pubs occupying pride of place in the heart of the city center. The current building dates from 1877, making it Victorian, though there was a pub on the spot since 1700. The grandeur of its interior is a joy to behold, exquisitely decorated and dominated by a large central clock, and mahogany wood everywhere.
9. Dick Mack’s - Dingle, Co. Kerry
A classic. This pub is on every list of pubs and for good reason: it’s quirky, fun and comfortable but has never lost sight of the fact that people are here to enjoy each others company and have a nice drink. There’s no televisions and they have a couple well-preserved snugs and back rooms to hide out in. For many years, the legendary character Oliver ran this place and made it what it is today, and now his nephew Finn has taken over and moved the focus more toward whiskeys. The leatherman is still at work here during busier seasons, so you can even have a belt made whilst enjoying a pint!
8. O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Bar - Dingle, Co. Kerry
My favorite place in Ireland to catch trad music, with Tommy and Saundra O’Sullivan often taking the stage with local and international musicians. Mind yer head with the low ceilings!
5. McDonnell’s Bar and Undertakers - Belmullet, Co. Mayo
Also known as “The Lobster Pot”, because one you get in, it’s difficult to get out! Of course, we made a film about this bar, and with good reason: During the day it can be relaxed and welcoming, with friendly locals to chat with and Padraig on the guitar. At night, it’s heaving with people and everyone in is a great mood… it’s a party!
3. O’Loclainn’s Irish Whiskey Bar – Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
This bar will always be the closest to my heart because it was the location of the first film we produced. Margaret and Peter are such lovely people and the people you meet here can be from anywhere in the world. It’s doesn’t open until late, usually at least 8pm. There’s no television, no jukebox, nothing to distract from the fun of chatting with Margaret behind the bar or meeting with a friend, or making new friends over a lovely pint. The whiskeys here are the stars of the show, with hundreds of them lining the back walls of the bar. Margaret will guide you with tastings and do not miss out trying her Irish Coffee, the best you’ll ever have.
2. McLoughlin’s Bar – Achill Sound, Co. Mayo
If I could only have one last pint in Ireland, I’d go to McLoughlin’s. It’s just a comfortable place to be where owners Josie McLoughlin and Jackie Memory look after you, the pints are delicious, the locals are super friendly and there’s always a fire going. The landscapes of Achill Island are some of the most stunningly beautiful in the country and that’s just icing on the cake!
1. Sharkey’s Bar – Annagry, Co. Donegal
Sharkey’s Bar is the model of what a good family-owned, community focused pub should be. There’s a fun front section where the banter flows freely and laughter fills the air. The back bar is a much larger space, with a pool table and and a beer garden in the back. The Sharkey families have been running this place for generations and they do it with love and a commitment to their community. This place is the pride of Irish pub culture, and I dearly love the families and this bar!
