St. Patrick’s Day, which takes place on the 17th March, promises to bring with it a revelry and cheer like no other time of the year — as well as an unfathomable amount of Guinness! In order to help you to celebrate the event to its fullest, we’ve rounded up some of Ireland’s finest pub crawls.
Dublin
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From experience (and we’ve had lots of it), we’ve learnt that proximity is key when it comes to pub crawls. You may have chosen the cosiest, loveliest selection of pubs, but chances are you’re not going to make it to them all if you have a 20-minute walk between them. The Temple Bar area of Dublin is graced with a whole host of pubs in a very small space, making it a great spot for a boozy afternoon.
We recommend starting off at Dublin’s only pub brewery, the Porterhouse Temple Bar, where you will find craft beers on tap and live music to tap your feet to. Next, you can move onto arguably the city’s most famous pub, The Temple Bar, which has been serving Dublin’s punters with great beer and a lively atmosphere for over 160 years. To round things off, why not head over to Fitzgerald’s where the traditional Irish stew or steak and Guinness pie could help to stop you from getting too tiddly?
Cork
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As a university city, Cork is cheerfully boozy with lots of cosy pubs offering pints at cheap prices. It’s beset by a series of waterways which give the city a European vibe. There are pastel-coloured houses overlooking gleaming waters, making it a picturesque spot for a drink or three.
First up, the Welcome Inn has been open since 1845 and offers regulars and tourists alike a warm welcome, live music and a great selection of beer. Next on the route is The Oliver Plunkett which has live music daily, ranging from covers of chart favourites to traditional Irish music (for those wanting to get their dance fix). Close by, you’ll find The Old Oak which stays open late, until 2am in the week, and offers a friendly atmosphere and music to party to — what better place to end a pub crawl?
Limerick
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The city of Limerick offers up a whole host of historical sites with King John’s Castle standing proudly beside the River Shannon at the city’s core. When you’ve had your fill of the sights, there are lots of pubs to dive in to and drink a pint or two of beer.
Start at Dolan’s, one of the city’s most established spots for live music, welcoming in both international and local acts each month. Next, you’ll move onto the wood-clad pub, the Glen Tavern which is based in a building that dates back to the 1760s. The pub has a hearty food menu allowing you to line your stomach before you move onto your next watering hole. We suggest you end your crawl at The Old Quarter Gastropub where you can sip a cocktail on the heated veranda on a spring evening.
Galway
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Harbourside Galway is often referred to as Ireland’s most charming city — its multitude of homely independent cafes, sweeping views out to sea, and restaurants serving up home-grown food certainly testify to this. It feels right to enjoy a spot of leisurely drinking in-between seeing the sights.
Tig Cóilí is a great place to start an alcohol-filled afternoon in Galway. Its walls are full to the brim with photos of musicians who have performed here and there are live acts 14 times a week. This is a space where music is adored! Next on the tour is the Salthouse Bar where there are over 100 different craft beers on offer, making it a popular spot for the true beer aficionado. Finally, head on over to the Quays where you’ll spend the rest of the evening in an ornate building, with stained glass windows and arched ceilings.
