Many Pubs in Ireland are vibrant social hubs offering a cosy atmosphere, traditional music, and hearty food. Renowned for their welcoming nature, they serve as gathering spots for locals and visitors, providing a true taste of Irish culture and hospitality.
You don't have to drink alcohol to truly enjoy the entertainment found in the countless pubs across Ireland.
The different types of pubs in Ireland
The local, as it's referred to, is the pub within or near a community where neighbours and friends meet regularly. It usually becomes everyone's favourite pub because of its warm welcome feeling and the fact that everyone knows each other. As a social hub, they can be a great place to meet new people and make friends.
Irish Music in pubs
Not all pubs in Ireland will play music, never mind traditional Irish music. However, if you ever want to find a pub that plays music it's usually a good idea to find one that has traditional sessions any day of the week. A traditional session is when a group of musicians gather in a pub and play traditional Irish songs. In most cases, the musicians are not even hired by the pub or paid due to their love of music but it's not unusual for barmen to slip a couple of free drinks to the thirsty musicians.
Irish Pub Grub
With Ireland being famous for its Irish food recipes it's not too difficult to find a pub that serves delicious pub grub. From the traditional Irish breakfast to a large bowl of traditional Irish stew, Irish pub grub has to be tried. The Sunday Carvery or roast has become a popular meal in Ireland, usually a homecooked meal it's now becoming a popular meal in pubs throughout Ireland, attracting many families for a day out.
Irish sports in pubs
Although you'll find specific sports bars in the bigger cities and some towns, whenever there is an Irish Sports event such as Gaelic or Hurling match being televised you can be sure that most pubs in Ireland are filled to the doors. The atmosphere is always electric when important games are on such as the All Ireland GAA or when the Irish soccer team competes in the World Cup.
Rural pubs in Ireland
It's not uncommon to stumble across a rural pub that's actually someone's living room of their house. With one or two pumps, a couple of bottles of spirits and maybe some chairs, you can be sure that you've found an Irish gem. You'll find these kinds of pubs to be very community orientated and a great way to meet the locals, learn some history and really experience some culture of the area.
The bar staff plays a major role in creating an Irish Pub. They need to have the ability to be able to pour a proper pint of Guinness, which takes some skill, but they also need to knowledgeable of the local area.
Commonly asked questions about Pubs in Ireland
Here are some commonly asked questions about Irish pubs before you plan your visit.
What are the best pubs to visit in Ireland?
Ireland has various great pubs to visit but a personally favourite is the pub that serves great food and holds traditional Irish music sessions. These pubs usually offer a great night of entertainment in a relax atmosphere.
What is the history and significance of the Irish pub?
Irish pubs have a long history in Ireland as they served as a community hubs, as they still do in many places today. Some establishments are so old in fact, they pre-date the town they're located in. Every pub in Ireland has its own history, regardless of its location, but with some being older than others, they've stood the test of time.
The oldest pubs in Ireland and when they were established.
- Sean's Bar – Athlone – 900 AD
- The Brazen Head – Dublin – 1198.
Kyteler's Inn – Kilkenny – 1324.
T & H Doolan's – Waterford – 1400.
Grace Neills – Down – 1611.
Morahan's Bar – Roscommon – 1641.
The River Inn – Derry – 1684.
Barbarella – Cork – 1698.
What should I expect in terms of pub etiquette in Ireland?
Like anywhere else in the world pub etiquette in Ireland consists of being polite, not being loud, not being too drunk, and respect people's personal space. As previously mentioned, Irish pubs serve as social hubs so if you do find you've had one too many drinks it might be time to consider moving on
What are the most popular drinks to order in an Irish pub?
Visit any Irish pub in Ireland and you'll find Guinness being served, but is it the most popular drink in Ireland? Most pub goes will tend to stick to a pint of your average beer or a glass of wine but other popular drinks to order in an Irish pub would be Bulmer's cider, Smithwick's Red Ale, or a Jameson and Baileys.
Are children allowed in pubs in Ireland?
Yes, children are allowed into pubs in Ireland but there are laws owners must abide by. A child under 18 is allowed in Irish pubs, if they are 15 or under they must be be supervised at all times and are only allowed on the premises between 10am and 9:00 pm or 10pm from May to September.
As Irish pubs can be the social hub for local communities they are often very family orientated, another reason why pub etiquette is extremely important.
