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As far as dream destinations go, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have Ireland on their list—for good reason. And given the increased amount of Ireland-related content that’s come across my desk this year (mostly just Ayo Edebiri’s impression of the donkey from The Banshees of Inisherin), the invite to tour Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey’s distillery over in the great Emerald Isle could not have come at a better time.
Honey
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The brand was celebrating the launch of their honey-flavored blend (a sweetened version of their spirit that I’ve decided could convert some staunch whiskey antis), so in addition to getting a behind-the-scenes look at how the magic gets made, I also got to hop all over the country to try it out in different cocktails in (a lot of) different pubs. The major takeaway? Ireland’s got no shortage of both justifiably popular and wholly underrated spots to drink. So to provide you with a bit of direction for your next trip, here’s a rundown of must-visit pubs to hit up in Ireland—Dublin, Athlone, and Galway, specifically—along with some tips on what to order once you get there. (Drink-order nerves are real!)
Dublin
Kehoes Pub
Kehoes Pub
This spot is as traditional as it gets, Irish-pub-wise. On the weeknight when I was here, I gathered that it was mostly a post-work happy hour crowd, but they were very much down to clown (as evidenced by the Guinness chugging tutorial I received from a stranger). Kehoes is also a great stop to make on Dublin’s coveted warm-weather days. When the crowd moves outside, this pub turns into the best kind of block party.
Location: 9 South Ann Street, Dublin 2
Hours: Monday–Thursday: 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Learn more here.
1661 Bar
This is where you need to swing by for your swanky craft cocktail fix. Bar 1661 has pretty much mastered both Ireland’s native classics and creative new concoctions—add it to your itinerary if you’re fiending for some award-winning Irish coffee or if you’re down to try out something lighter, like the fresh and fruity “Y2K” drink.
Location: 1-5 Green St, Rotunda, Dublin, D07 YT6H
Hours: Monday–Thursday 5:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m., Friday 5:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2:00 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Learn more here.
Four Dame Lane
Live music and a Guinness make for the ideal evening in Dublin. Every night at Four Dame Lane, you can check out local musicians and live DJs who play here. There’s also a newly renovated loft on the second floor, which has got more of a club vibe if you feel like switching up the scene after grabbing a drink downstairs.
Location: 4 Dame Lane, Dublin 2, D02 YD79
Hours: Monday–Thursday 4 p.m.–1:30 a.m., Friday 3 p.m.–2:30 a.m., Saturday 3 p.m.–2:30 a.m., Sunday 3 p.m.–1:30 a.m.
Learn more here.
The Palace Bar
Smack dab in the heart of Dublin’s hustle and bustle lies this 200-year-old Victorian hot spot. If you’re a true whiskey fan, a stop by this establishment is a must: The Palace Bar serves over *100* different whiskeys. Yes, triple digits. The “Hey, ICYMI, I’m in Ireland” photo ops here are also plentiful—just grab pics of one of the many cool portraits sprinkled throughout the space, or do a mini shoot by the gorgeous florals that line the outdoor space.
Location: 21 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 H950, Ireland
Hours: Monday–Thursday 12:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12:00–12:30 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
Learn more here.
Athlone
Sean’s Bar
One thing I noticed during my nationwide pub crawl throughout Ireland is how much these establishments love to flex how long they’ve been standing. But when it comes to longevity, nobody is beating Sean’s. It’s Ireland’s literal oldest pub, and I can’t speak for the experience back in the day, but when I stopped by, it was a nonstop party. In the three (?) hours I spent here, I witnessed it as a true multigenerational meeting spot. There was a 30th birthday celebration, a couple of hen dos (aka bachelorette parties for my fellow Americans), and a few casual, low-key meet-ups all going down in this spacious spot. Sean’s dance floor on a Friday night was truly a sight to behold.
Location: 13 Main St, Athlone And Bigmeadow, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 DW76, Ireland
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 10:30 am-12:30 am, Wednesday 10:30 am-11:30 om, Thursday and Friday 10:30 am-12:30 am
Maisie
This animated cocktail bar is only a short walk away from Sean’s—the energy is just as high as its historic neighbor’s, but the vibes are a bit more modern. To that point, this was the only place during my Irish adventure that played Megan Thee Stallion, and that was deeply appreciated. I was missing her energy.
Location: 1 Castle Street, Athlone N37 R9F9 Ireland
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 12:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00 pm-11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm-2:00 am, Sunday 12:00 pm-11:00 pm
Tullamore Distillery
The highlight of my trip actually wasn’t a pub—but an entire distillery. Ireland’s very own Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey gets made here, but tourists and locals alike can book a 105-minute behind-the-scenes tour to see how the magic gets made. I truly walked into this joint as a whiskey novice and walked out as a card-carrying expert (with a one-of-a-kind bottled blend from the souvenir shop to prove it).
The Brewery Tap
If you find yourself in Tullamore, stop by this cozy spot for a bite to eat with your libations. They’re open for lunch and dinner. It was here that I tried the Tapple D.E.W. cocktail for the first time (and drank two more rounds of it after that), and I’d be remiss if I didn’t share that recipe with you, because it’s easy as hell, and also my go-to happy hour concoction nowadays:
Ingredients:
-
50 ml Tullamore D.E.W. Original
In a tall ice-filled glass, add 50ml Tullamore D.E.W. Original, top it with pressed apple juice, and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Location: 1 High St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 P761, Ireland
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10:00 am-1:00 am, Sunday 12:30 pm-11:00 pm
Galway
The Quays
The Quays Galway
In middle school, I had this recurring dream in which I’d lock eyes with a member of One Direction in a loud, crowded pub, and from there, we’d run off and elope or something. All this to say, the crowded pub in said dreams looked and felt a lot like The Quays. Maybe it’s because of their amazing live music lineup (I’d drop video evidence here to set the scene, but every video I captured features me screeching along to The Cranberries at the highest volume). The Quays was another hen party-central spot, but I wasn’t mad at that; it’s honestly a treat to witness some classic pre-wedding debauchery, especially with a Guinness in hand.
Dail Bar
The award-winning cocktails (like the delectable Hendrick’s Elderflower Martini) are cheap, and the staffers will treat you like an old friend. Even better? Its location is clutch—right on Middle Street in Galway, where there are a bunch of shops, bookstores, street entertainers, and restaurants to keep you busy. Plus, they’ve also got live music. I’d say to start your pub crawl in Galway here, but TBH it might set the bar too high, so save it for your final stop.
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