Enjoy an Irish pub
No visit to Ireland is complete without experiencing its
thriving pub culture. Pubs are more than just a place to
have a drink – you can tap your feet to a traditional
session, ponder the meaning of life with friends, feast
on delicious food or just enjoy the quiet settling of your
pint of stout. Early in the day, the pub is a place where
you can relax and enjoy the quiet rustle of the daily
newspaper, exchanging views on world politics with
whomever you meet. Food is also high on the agenda,
with many Irish pubs offering excel ent food: Vaughan’s
Anchor Inn in Liscannor, County Clare; Aherne’s
Seafood Bar in Youghal, County Cork; and Balloo
House in Killinchy, County Down; all boast fine
reputations for such fare.
After dark, pubs strike it up a notch, and you’ll find the
ubiquitous ‘ceol agus craic’ (music and fun) in plenty
of establishments. The House of McDonnel in
Bal ycastle, County Antrim, for instance, hosts regular
traditional music sessions; while The Brazen Head in
Dublin city has music every night.
What the Irish value most, however, is that you don’t
have to know someone to strike up a conversation.
Take a seat at the bar or snug (private spaces that used
to be reserved for the ladies), order your drink, ask a
sensible question, offer a reasonable opinion, and
someone is sure to engage you in conversation.
If you don’t fancy a chat, sit at a table and no one will
bother you – but if you accept a drink from someone,
it’s considered polite to buy one back!
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