15) The Dark Horse Inn of George’s Quay, D2

(Now sadly permanently closed). Formerly the ‘The White Horse’ pub famous for its ‘early house’ credentials, and for being a wet-home to such literary soaks as Brendan Behan, Myles na gCopaleen, and Con Houlihan. Not to be confused with The Dark Horse of Blackrock. Open for business from 7:30 am it became a beacon for dock-workers, fishermen, and sailors, (and for literary types due to its closeness to The Irish Times headquarters). Converted to the charmless Dark Horse Inn in 2011, and it was deeply dark even in daylight. It managed to retain its early-house licence however, a rarity in these times. As of 2016 it finally closed and has since been converted into yet another yuppie coffee shop. Good puzzle would be cross Dublin without passing a café.

Given its proximity to the Department of Health which is within the hideous Hawkins House of Poolbeg Street (infamous for causing a decline in the mental health of its own staff as they suffered to work in such an ugly concrete hellhole - now also shut and soon to be demolished), this pub served as its unofficial local. It provided respite for certain civil servants looking to escape the bunker and take a liquid lunch, also for other servants ‘on the clock’ who would briefly break out only to rush in and claim a double whiskey double quick. Over time, The Dark Horse lost its legs and came in 2nd to its own glorious notorious former self: The White Horse. It had become infected too, with the same diseased atmosphere which spread from the haunted House of Hawkins infamy. It is therefore only fitting that both buildings no longer operate in their previous capacity. To that we offer up a drink: sláinte mhaith!

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