267) The Hole In The Wall (McCaffrey's) of Blackhorse Avenue, D7

Formery: Nancy Hands. Nicely located on the fringes of the Phoenix Park, Dublin's very own Eden where the deer and ducklings play. One can reach the pub on foot via Phoenix Park through a ‘hole in the (park’s) wall’ which leads directly to the bar’s main entrance. Established in 1651 at exactly 100 meters long it’s Europe's longest pub, being pretty much the length and breadth of a street – how many families it could fit is anyone's guess. Like Russian dolls, room after room gives way to room upon room, some for solid supping, some for carvery lunches, some of a markedly gastritis aspect to cater to foodies and tourists. Originally called ‘Ye sign of ye Blackhorse Inn’ in medieval times, now affectionately called ‘The Holer’ by locals. Jutting stone walls can be found inside the pub. One such wall is home to an authentic post box; another houses a unique two-faced wood burning stove visible on both sides of the wall. Stuffed deer heads are on display, as are two huge bronze deer in mid gallop. 

Every December the pub is decorated with so many lights it becomes lit up like Times Square! Hence why LovinDublin have crowned it ‘the most Christmassy pub in Dublin.’ 'The President's Corner', tucked away at the edge of one of the many counters, has an array of crude pencil portraits of everyone from Erskine Childers to Eamonn De Valera to Michael D Higgins (his likeness looks like it was rapidly dashed off on the back of a beermat). This false snug relies on a curtain for privacy and is so named because of its onetime incumbent President Sean T. O'Ceallaigh, who was partial to popping out of the Aras for a sneaky few. Seats outside are pleasant in warm weather, with many happy doggies to say 'hi' to.

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