1. The oldest pub in Dublin is The Brazen Head
It dates from 1198 making it one of the oldest pubs in Ireland. (It’s pipped to the post by Sean’s Bar in Athlone, which apparently dates from 900 AD and has been certified as the oldest pub in Europe.)
It’s also home to some graffiti dating from 1726. (“John Langan halted here, 7th August, 1726″ is inscribed on a window pane.)
2. The Stag’s Head was the first pub in Ireland to have electric lighting
It was founded by British businessman George Tyson who wanted a drinking hole in Dublin that could rival the pubs in London. Didn’t do too bad a job, did he?
3. The Long Hall
The Long Hall is famously Bruce Springsteen’s favourite spot for a tipple in Dublin. Earlier this summer, he dropped in for one pint before scarpering off to perform in Croke Park.
4. Fallons in The Coombe has a photo of a couple on their wedding day on the ceiling
Rumour has it that the groom in the photo used to regularly fall off his chair onto the floor (we’ve all been that soldier) and when he gazed up at the photo of his wife, he would realise it was time to head home.
5. The Clock on Thomas Street has a little aviary in its smoking area
As you do.
6. Neary’s on Chatham Street and Ryan’s on Parkgate Street are home to some of the last indoor gas lamps in Ireland
Cute little throwback to olden days!
7. Dublin pubs used to have far more exotic names
Like…
- The Unicorn on Capel Street
- The Wandering Jew on Castle Street
- The Blue Leg on High Street
- The Sot’s Hole on Essex Street
Going for one in The Unicorn?
8. A bleeding horse might have inspired the name of The Bleeding Horse
The origin of the name remains unclear but there are two popular explanations that are still bandied about. One is that a wounded horse ended up at the pub during the Battle of Rathmines in 1649. Another is that horses were bled at the site once they got the “staggers”.
*shivers*
Another fun fact about The Bleeding Horse: Shaggy once drank a pint there.
So now.
9. Bill Clinton stopped into Cassidy’s on Camden Street during his 1995 visit to Ireland
Clinton’s mother’s name was Virginia Dell Cassidy and the owners of Cassidy’s claim that they are Bill’s distant cousins.
During his visit to Dublin in December 1995, Clinton dropped into Cassidy’s to have a pint. Sure, it’d be rude not to.
Will Hillary pop into Cassidy’s for one next year? *prayer hands emoji*
