181) The Brazen Head of Lower Bridge Street, D8

Claims to be the oldest pub in all of Ireland dating back to 1198, although Sean’s Bar in Athlone would object to this and with good reason. There’s certainly lots of charm with log burning fires, live traditional music and a maze of nooks and crannies under the light of dripping candles. The courtyard which acts as a beer garden resembles a small rural village. However, it’s so overcrowded and over-priced that members of Dublin 8 can no longer enjoy this olden local. In fact, it’s a rare sight to behold a Dubliner either side of the bar. Old-world style with new-world guile, this is a most confusing pub. You’ll find a terrific pint at a terrible price. Extortionate soup with complimentary bread. An authentic Irish pub without any of the Irish, brazen very!

During the deep snow of 2010, drinkers Andrew Stephens and David Saunders had no choice but to shelter here with poet Ronan Murphy to exchange gifts and rounds of slop at one of the hefty wooden barrel-cum-tables. The entrance gives way to a capacious courtyard, smoking area, beer garden, and hotel - popular in the summer season. Gets mentioned late in the day in Ulysses as a potential spot for the down and out, Long John Corley, to grab a kip to sleep in. It also features in J.P. Donleavy's celebrated novel The Ginger Man, where it is oddly depicted as a good place to grab a drink after hours, if one can only charm the landlady to let you in. Those were the dear dead days long gone beyond recall...

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