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the black stuff

27 pints you must sample in Ireland before you die

Let it settle.

TRUE FANS OF The Black Stuff are on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pint.

We’ve done a LOT of asking, searching and sampling, and come up with 27 strong contenders from around Ireland, in no particular order.

1. Mulligan’s, Poolbeg St, Dublin

Unofficially regarded as the best pint in Dublin (or Ireland, or the world, depending on who you talk to), Mulligan’s is the ultimate in old school charm right in the city centre.

Mulligan's Pub On Poolbeg Street infomatique infomatique

Best Pint in Dublin - Mulligan's aaronchamberlain aaronchamberlain

2. Iggy’s Bar, Kincasslagh, Co Donegal

Kincasslagh is not only home to Daniel O’Donnell, it’s home to one of the best pints of the black stuff in the north west.

wiki Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

3. The Long Hall, George’s St, Dublin

Battling with Mullingan’s for the title of Dublin’s best pint, The Long Hall on George’s Street has even served up a sup to Rihanna.

Long Hall, Dublin Adam Bruderer Adam Bruderer

Perfect pint of Guinness at The Long Hall in Dublin. reneslopez reneslopez

4. Tom King’s Bar, Clifden, Galway

Locals and visitors to Clifden go to Tom King’s for a pint of their finest in the snug.

kings Google Maps Google Maps

kingstom @Ailbhetweets @Ailbhetweets

5.  Phil Grimes Pub, Johnstown, Waterford

Phil Grimes is renowned for its craft and local beer selection but is also a favourite in Waterford for its traditional pint.

chrispauldunne / YouTube

6. Brennan’s, Bundoran, Co Donegal

Brennan’s comes with the added bonus of the keg sitting just under the bar. It’s run by sisters Nan and Patricia Brennan and will be celebrating its 114th year this St Patrick’s Day.

Brennan's, Bundoran, Co. Donegal - The Irish Pub Film | Facebook Facebook Facebook

7. Tigh Neachtain’s, Cross St, Galway

Stout, snugs and an open fire. What more could you ask for? Four pints please barkeep!

Tigh Neachtains irishjaunt irishjaunt

Tigh Neachtain 2 cosmo_71 cosmo_71

10. O’Connell’s, Portobello, Dublin

This is where the Portobello hipsters get their pints, and the hipsters aren’t about to settle for second best now are they?

O'Connells Pub Flickr Flickr

O'Connell Pub Interior Mark Waldron Mark Waldron

11. Morrissey’s, Abbeyleix, Co Laois

Morrissey’s has apparently been serving pints since 1775, so it’s no wonder they’re good ones.

Pssst you’ll get a few sweets there too.

Best pub/sweetshop/grocers ever! #pub #ireland #laois #grocers #abbeyleix tony_a_keys tony_a_keys

12. Finn’s Bar, Austin Friars St, Mullingar

Well, if Bressie (and loads of other locals) says so…

finns

casey

13. The Stag’s Head, Dame Court, Dublin

Step aside Mulligan’s and Long Hall, because there are many who will claim the pint in The Stag’s Head is the best one in Dublin.

Pre conference pints, The Stags Head. celineon celineon

14. Matt Molloy’s, Westport, Co Mayo

Owner by the Chieftains flautist of the same name, Matt Molly’s offers some delicious pints to accompany the regular trad music sessions.

matt

15. The Castle Inn, South Main St, Cork

The Castle Inn and it’s famous little snug provide some of Cork’s best pints.

The Castle Inn - Cork infomatique infomatique

16. The Gravediggers (John Kavanagh’s), Glasnevin, Dublin

Okay, so maybe the best city centre pints can be found in the Long Hall, The Stag’s Head or Mulligan’s, but you just try to tell any Dublin Northsider that there’s a better drink to be had anywhere but The Gravediggers.

Dubliner Stéphane Moussie Stéphane Moussie

17. Mc Gowan’s, Easkey, Co Sligo

Popular with surfers (who come from all over to try out the Easkey waves) and locals alike, the McGowan’s pint is rumoured to be the best in Sligo.

It’s good for a few sessions too.

Daithí Turner / YouTube

18. McCuaig’s Bar, Rathlin Island, Co Antrim

Mc Cuaig’s has it all…

This view:

view @A_D_McLean @A_D_McLean

Wifi:

wifi

And those delicious pints (well, half pints):

Well deserved pint after walking rathlin island clareboyd19 clareboyd19

19. Ollie Hayes Bar, Moneygall, Offaly/Tipp border

If you’re going to be serving pints to the Obamas, you’d want to make sure they’re damn good pints.

Obama Carolyn Kaster Carolyn Kaster

20. Grogan’s Castle Lounge, South William Street, Dublin

Grogan’s toasted sandwiches are legendary… almost as legendary as their pints.

There’s a game Dubliners play whereby if you walk past Grogan’s and you don’t see anyone you know sitting outside, you must sit down and become the person your friends will know when they walk past.

#Ireland: In good company Frederic Poirot Frederic Poirot

Ireland 2009 Rainshift - www.rainshift.com Rainshift - www.rainshift.com

21. McGrory’s, Culdaff, Co. Donegal

Mussels, a pint of the black stuff and a session are the specialities at the tip top of the country.

mcg

McGrorys 1 - McGrory's Culdaff | Facebook Facebook Facebook

22. Foxy John’s, Dingle, Co Kerry

One of the country’s most charming pubs and host of the Other Voices Banter sessions, Foxy John’s is a prime contender for Dingle’s best pint of the black stuff.

dingle

23. Tom Collins’ Pub, Cecil St, Limerick

The creamy pints in Tom Collin’s Pub are so good that this pair celebrated their engagement there:

BARRY-AND-GENE-02b(pp_w839_h559_m1323768628_a56_pBR) Solasblog Solasblog

24. The Crown Pub, Belfast

The Crown Liquor Saloon is Belfast’s oldest pub and the go-to place for the city’s finest pint.

Belfast City - The Crown Pub infomatique infomatique

crown @DavidBridgesRDH @DavidBridgesRDH

25. The Strawberry Hall, Strawberry Beds, Dublin

Not only in The Straw Hall home to one of the Dublin’s best pints, it’s also home to some of the best Christmas decorations in the land.

The Strawberry Hall Pub's Photos - The Strawberry Hall Pub | Facebook Facebook Facebook

26. Annie Kelly’s, Tullamore, Co Offaly

Small but perfectly formed, Annie Kelly’s is renowned for doing a lovely pint.

Annie Kelly's Bar's Photos - Annie Kelly's Bar | Facebook Facebook Facebook

27. Boland’s Bar, Castlegregory, Co Kerry

Would you really come to the Dingle Peninsula and not stop off in Boland’s for one of their infamous pints?

Bolands Bar Castlegregory's Photos - Bolands Bar Castlegregory | Facebook Facebook Facebook

So how did we do? Was your favourite pint included? Which ones have we left out?

Let us know in the comments section…

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