From music and pints to old-school sweets and DIY products, these Irish pubs have it all, making them proper old-school watering holes you need to visit for a historic experience.
We have to admit Irish pubs are in a league of their own, oozing a traditional charm that cannot be matched elsewhere. This is why people flock from all corners of the globe to soak up the atmosphere.
Ireland is jam-packed full of traditional Irish pubs, with the oldest dating back to 900 AD, making it the oldest pub in Ireland and arguably the world.
Venturing to a pub seeped in history is a must for any cultural enthusiast. So, if you seek a warm Irish welcome, pints of delicious creamy Guinness, and memorabilia galore, you must visit these five historic Irish pubs that transport you back in time.
Let’s dive in!
5. The Brazen Head – Dublin’s oldest pub
If you are searching for a historic pub to visit in Dublin, look no further than the Brazen Head, the city’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198.
Their mission is to give visitors the most authentic Irish pub experience, and they have carefully refurbished the pub to retain the original features, which makes it a genuinely striking watering hole in the city.
Here, you can cosy up by the fire and listen to tales of its fascinating past as the fifth-oldest pub in the world.
This is one of the best spots to soak up the vibes, indulge in hearty Irish grub, or enjoy a cosy pint with the locals, making it an unmissable spot in the capital.
Address: 20 Lower Bridge St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 WC64, Ireland
4. Tig Choili, Galway – experience traditional Irish music
We all know that Irish music is at the heart of any traditional Irish pub, and if it doesn’t live and breathe music, is it even an Irish pub?
Tig Choili is one of the best historic pubs in Ireland that transports you back in time with its live music sessions and contagious atmosphere. This is, without a doubt, one of the top places to experience live music the way it was in the old days.
Located in Galway’s bustling Latin Quarter, Tig Choili is a one-stop shop for gatherings, delicious beer, and authentic music. So, be prepared for a warm welcome and a trip back in time at Tig Choili.
Address: The Latin Quarter, Mainguard St, Galway, Ireland
3. Mary’s Bar & Hardware Store, Dublin – one of the most historic pubs in Ireland that transport you back in time
One of the most fascinating things about Irish pubs is that they were once combined with other businesses, and Mary’s Bar & Hardware Store is a perfect example of this.
These days, it is hard to find a pub quite like Mary’s Bar, so If you seek an authentic Irish pub experience in Dublin, make time for a pint in this charming pub.
The pub features a fully functional hardware store and a sweet section that will transport you back to the 90s – a simpler time.
Here at Mary’s, you can get your hands on the best Irish sweets, pick up some tools, and enjoy a pint and some Irish grub all under one roof. If that’s not old school, we don’t know what is.
Address: 8 Wicklow St, Dublin 2, D02 AX90, Ireland
2. Lynott’s Pub, Achill Island – a tiny pub that packs a punch
Lynott’s Pub is located on the picturesque Island of Achill in County Mayo, and the feeling of going back in time begins the moment you feast your eyes on this fantastic pub.
Boasting a stone construction and a thatched roof, this tiny pub invites you in for a pint and a good old shindig any time of the year.
Inside the pub, visitors will notice the simplicity of the small watering hole, with its bare stone walls and memorabilia dotted around the place, just like the olden days.
There is nothing quite like Lynott’s, so if you seek an authentic old Irish pub experience where a pint is a pint and a pub is a pub, then Lynott’s cannot be missed.
Address: Cashel, Bunacurry, Co. Mayo, Ireland
1. Sean’s Bar, Athlone – Ireland’s oldest pub
Sean’s Bar is one of the best historic pubs in Ireland that transports you back in time. Why? It dates back over 1000 years, making it the country’s oldest watering hole.
The pub features old-school low ceilings, historic memorabilia telling its fascinating story, and a unique atmosphere that makes it one of the most visited pubs in Ireland.
Ireland’s oldest pub is in Athlone and has long been a public house that welcomed a diverse crowd. And from traditional Irish music sessions to their delicious house whiskey, this is the spot to cosy up and relive the good old days amongst a happy bunch.
Address: 13 Main St, Athlone And Bigmeadow, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 DW76, Ireland
To get a taste of what life was like back in the day, make sure to pop into these five historic pubs in Ireland that transport you back in time that are dotted around the country to enjoy an authentic experience.
