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10 Irish pubs with cosy fires to discover this winter
Sample a pint in one of these hidden gems.
NO MATTER WHERE you hail from, one of winter’s biggest highlights is the opportunity to kick back by the fire in your hometown’s local, whether it’s with a boisterous crew or for a solitary pint.
Locations-wise, we all have our favourites, but wander a little further and you might realise you’ve been missing the cosiest pub of all.
Curious? We’ve gathered a few fireside gems from around the country to put forward as your new favourite spot this winter.
Take your pick below…
1. Blake’s Bar in Galway city
Located in the heart of Galway city on Eglinton Street, Blake’s Corner Bar is known for its live music and friendly locals – and it’s part of an award-winning brasserie.
Spend some time by the open fire with an Irish whiskey, or take it to the next level with a Four Corners of Ireland whiskey tasting board. For more discerning palates, Blake’s serves cheese boards and has a surprisingly good selection of wine.
2. Bonner’s Bar in Mullaghduff, Co Donegal
Bonner’s is a traditional Irish pub with a burning fire, fantastic artifacts scattered throughout and the all-important cosy snug. You’ll often find a few fiddlers and guitarists on hand to entertain punters, and the pub is also kid and dog-friendly.
3. Egan’s Bar in Parkbridge, Co Wicklow
Located near the borders of Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow, Egan’s Bar is known for its quality trad sessions and as a local farmer’s favourite.
Egan’s was formerly owned by the Doyle family who held it in operation since before the 1800’s, making it a contender for one of the oldest family-run country pubs in the country.
4. The Chestnut in Birr, Co Offaly
The Chestnut is a Victorian-style bar with blazing fires, dark wood interiors and chandeliers making it a little more glamorous than your standard pub.
It’s made up of a front bar, a large walled rose garden/smoking area to the back (where movies, theatre and art exhibitions are shown) and an area specifically for playing music in. It’s also a great spot to watch matches in.
5. Cunningham’s Bar in Kildare town
Located in the centre of Kildare town, Cunningham’s Bar has a rustic interior and a large open fire – plus some very tasty Thai food. There are large sports screens and regular live music in the form of ‘fireside sessions’, which have been a tradition in the pub for the past two decades.
6. PJ O’Hare’s in Carlingford, Co Louth
The bar in PJs has remained untouched for years, with fun paraphernalia dotted around, like framed ‘leprechaun bones’ and a costume of Sean Óg found by the late PJ O’Hare.
It has a roaring open fire, a beer garden and a menu that has won several ‘Louth’s Best Gastro Pub’ nods at the Irish Restaurant Awards.
7. The Swans Bar in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
This traditional Irish bar was established way back in 1748. Known for its delicious pints of Guinness and blazing fire, The Swans is a classic country pub located only five minutes from Lough Gur Heritage Centre, so is the perfect stop off after a walk through the Limerick countryside.
8. De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty, Co Cork
Listed by Lonely Planet as a must-see, DeBarra’s Folk Club has played host to the likes of Noel Redding, Paddy Keenan, Villagers, Bell X1 Sharon Shannon and Christy Moore over the last 30 years.
Live music usually starts around 9pm every night and the walls are covered in music memorabilia, with a lovely fire to heat you up beforehand.
9. Costigan’s Pub in Cork city
A traditional Irish pub located on Washington Street and established in 1849, Costigan’s has a parlour, snug and a private ‘Granny’s Room’ to choose from, and it’s one of Cork’s oldest and finest pubs.
Costigan’s has spent its life as many things, beginning as a fishmonger’s, then becoming a coach house and a sweet shop before it became a pub.
10. Fanny O’Dea’s in Lissycasey, Co Clare
This brightly painted, thatched pub is nestled in Ennis and is one of Ireland’s oldest family-run pubs – having been in the same family since the late 1600s.
In the winter months, it almost always has a fire burning and the staff are happy to share eight generations of history with you, if you should ask.
From today, you can vote to decide on the best pubs with a cosy fire, the winners of which will host a gig in their premises for Bord na Móna Hearth Sessions. The pubs will play host to acoustic sets from a stellar line-up of Irish music including Little Hours, Stephanie Rainey & Ye Vagabonds. You can vote for your favourite cosy pub right now on Bord na Móna’s Facebook page.
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