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Ireland's oldest pubs

Brazen Head<br />This pub is located just off the Liffey quays in Dublin, outside the city walls and near the original bridge of Dublin. It's believed to have been a tavern since 1178. Just some of the historical and literary figures who have enjoyed a pint at the Brazen Head include James Joyce, Brendan Behan, Jonathan Swift , Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Daniel O'Connell and Michael Collins.

The Cock<br />It's believed that the Cock stands on the site of an old medieval inn. Therefore it has traded without interruption since the 1390s. The Cock has also proudly been run by 21 generations of the McCabe family.

T &H Doolans<br />The oldest tavern in Waterford, this establishment is said to date to 1400. The walls in the lounge were built over 800 years ago by the Normans. The pub is officially under preservation as a historical site.

McHugh's, Belfast<br />This is the oldest pub in the oldest building in Belfast. It dates from 1711. It's now a busy urban venue with a 100-seater restaurant, but the building itself dates back over 300 years.

Old Thatch<br />The Old Thatch is the oldest thatched pub in Ireland and has been in the same family since 1667. The ownership of this establishment can be dated back to the 1700s. However, in 1867 the owner John Conway was refused a license on the grounds that he was housing Fenians.

Grace O'Neill's<br />This pub has the oldest title deeds, dating to 1611. To put that in perspective, Grace O’Neill’s had been open for nearly nine years when the English settlers landed in America.

Sean's Bar<br />On the site of a wattle alehouse, it is thought that Sean’s Bar dates back to 900. This is officially the oldest pub in Ireland and in fact the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Although most of the evidence found during excavations is now housed at the National Museum of Ireland, some of the self-minted coins from the original establishment can be seen in cases on the walls of the pub.

8 comments

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Nicopernicus | May 04, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT

Having been in T&H Doolan's many times I am embarrassed to say i new nothing of the 8oo year old wall (*seen it 4 sure). I even know a lot of its music history...can anyone tell me if the wall itself was incorporated at some point with the actual original Viking wall in the city?

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Nicopernicus | May 04, 2012, 10:14 AM EDT

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coolock5 | Oct 03, 2011, 06:28 PM EDT

Spent many a fun night at the Brazen Head!

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hybernia | Oct 03, 2011, 01:15 PM EDT

Liam Clancy (of the Clancy brothers) was the owner of T & H Doolans in Waterford for some time, Often had a pint there.

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the2webbs | Mar 15, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT

wish I was there!

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KerryLKing | Mar 03, 2011, 04:37 PM EST

Ahhh, been to several of these. Actually, was only aware of the Brazen Head stature while there. The others....just happened into them cause I was thirsty :-) And now I'm heading back again in April...1st time going at that time of year, so hoping the weather will be fine...and if not, I'll just hop into one of these pubs for awhile

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yankeerecon | Mar 02, 2011, 04:07 PM EST

one day I will own my own pub. seeing these photos is motivation

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Blarneyrock | Mar 02, 2011, 11:43 AM EST

Jesus!!! And I thought we were around a long time in NYC. We opened our first place in 1963! Tom D Blarney Rock Pub www.blarneyrockny.com

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