Ireland

We’ve been to Ireland twice now for short holidays, first to Dublin and more recently Cork.

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Cork February 2004, death by Guinness and Jamesons. We were not sober.

Flew out on BMIBaby (cheap, bring your own food, drink, sick bag, etc.) for a drunken break in Cork. Stayed in the Jury’s Inn which is very central and reasonably cheap (as hotels go), and it has it’s own late bar! Our mission: to visit as many bars as possible.

Cork is a very nice city, but don’t expect the sort of tourist aligned goings on you get in Dublin, this is more like a visit to Leeds than London, its a real, large Irish city. It is not in the slightest bit geared to tourists. It is however stuffed to bursting point with pubs and restaurants.

Pub and Restaurant Recommendations

These are some pubs and restaurants we liked, but remember it’s just a set of personal (drunken) opinions.

Fred Zeppelins A proper metal pub, good beer, odd cocktails, dark, orange and decorated with gig posters, with a great metal soundtrack, if you like heavy metal, go visit, you’ll love it.

Mutton Lane Inn A very well hidden down a tiny alley way just off the main shopping street, this great little pub has a large selection of odd and interesting beer and ciders for when you need a break from Guinness.

The Hib-Bar a Irish classic this, signs everywhere but the entrance is well concealed, and when found leads to a un-promising looking staircase, then if you persevere leads you to the upstairs room containing the Hi-B. This is a nice little bar.

The Cornerhouse nice little pub with good food and interesting "ehtnic" type decorations, and the only pub we spotted with a peat burning fire.

Sin E a proper pub,very horse racing themed, and home to live bands on occasion, but just televised races and beer when we were there.

Le Chateau another nice central pub, a nice atmosphere, and a very good Irish coffee. Limited food menu.

Isaacs, MacCurtain Street, Cork, Tel 021 4503805 a very nice modern restaurant with excellent food.

Oz-Cork Cafe Bistro, 73 Grand Parade, Cork, 021-4272711 great spot for breakfast, with interesting menu options involving ostrich for you to try out in the evenings!

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Dublin February 2001, death by Guinness and Jamesons. We were not sober.

Flew out on Ryan air (cheap, bring your own food, drink, sick bag, etc.) for a drunken break in Dublin/ The Wicklow mountains. Stayed in the Jury’s Inn (Cristchurch) which is very central and reasonably cheap (as hotels go), and it has it’s own late bar! Our mission: to visit as many bars as possible.

During our stay we took a break from Dublin to head into the mountains. Irish roads seem to be carefully greased over and full of RAMPS! and pot holes. You too can learn to enjoy full four wheel drifts with a car full of passengers on mountain roads! Stayed in a good B&B (Glendalough River House) close to Glendalough, which let us visit some country pubs for a change.

We also did the twin pilgrimages to the Guinness brewery (not that the bit they let you in does any brewing) and the Old Jameson’s distillery (again no brewing on site, sadly)

Pub and Restaurant Recommendations

These are some pubs and restaurants we liked, but remember it’s just a set of personal (drunken) opinions.

The Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court Olde worldy pub, no bog music just beer and smart decor (wood panelling)

The Long Haul, 51 Aungier Street Keogh’s, 9 South Anne Street

Brazen Head, 20 Lower Bridge Street Oldest in Dublin and possibly Europe, not that you can tell, nice pub.

Mulligan’s, 8 Poolbeg Street Chaplins, Hawkins Street O’Neill’s, 2 Suffolk Street good food too.

Sean O’Casey’s, Marlborough Street old, rough local pub for local people.

Peter’s Pub, Johnston’s Place

Oliver St.John Gogarty, Fleet Street yes, nice food upstairs from the pub.

Jaipur, Aungier Street Top banana Indian food.

Yamamouri Noodles, South Great George Street I suspect this is a poor Japanese, but it is also my first, and different enough to recommend a go if it’s new to you too.

Johnnie Fox’s, Glencullen Top fish based food, not so hot if you want anything else (choice wise)

Lynham’s Public House, Laragh Nice food, with chips, nice atmosphere.