Pubs in Dublin and around Ireland

There is something about the atmosphere in a good Irish pub. Maybe it is the pub itself, maybe it is something in the air, and maybe it is the Irish people that fill them with their lilt and laughter. The fact of the matter is there is something about a good Irish pub that transcends words; you just have to experience it. The Irish have used pubs as venues for gathering and socializing for centuries. While in some parts of the world frequenting taverns may be frowned upon, the pubs in Ireland have become part of the fabric of Irish life.

Some people may stop in the pub to catch up on some reading and slowly savour a pint, while another may desire a wonderful bit of pub grub, some conversation and a spot of tea. In other words, pubs in Ireland are much more than just a place to have a drink. Pubs have become a manifestation of the Irish Psyche and ingrained in Irish life. The Irish are gregarious, friendly people who crave comradeship. In Ireland a pub is not a tavern, it's a social centre.

The pubs in small towns and the rural countryside are a means to visit with your neighbour, keep up on the local gossip, or watch a sporting event. There is nothing quite like a brightly painted traditional pub with its stone floor, rustic appointments and the sweet aroma of turf burning in the fireplace.

In the larger cities a favourite pub often becomes a haven for the Irish. A familiar, friendly, and comfortable place a home away from home, a community within a community, a place to have some good craic (fun), have a bite to eat or take in a little live entertainment (paid or unpaid, professional or not).