174) The Deer's Head (O'Reilly's) of Parnell Street, D1

This is an awful pub [1] on Parnell Street [2] that’s unwelcoming and disconcerting. Cheap and tasty stout is the only plus as it radiates a sense of threat – with perhaps an IRA connection as it is often rumoured. Illegal traders do good business here, hovering about hawking their porno DVDs and their knockoff men’s shoes to which the bar staff turn a blind eye. The militant smokers that loiter in the doorway are particularly repulsive. Toilets are rank.

Angry unfriendly gobshite wishes you a warm welcome to his counter

FOOTNOTES

[1] Stands opposite The Welcome Inn which sadly is permanently closed. Famed for being partially destroyed after the Dublin bombings of 1974. In more recent times it was famed for its eccentric owner, smoky atmosphere and flock wallpaper. The said owner ‘John’ was noted by Mac Maloney as being an important source of information in his research for the Pubspotters’ Guide. The big blue building on the corner of Parnell Street and Marlborough Street still stands but is now falling back into disrepair. The exterior can be viewed here: https://dublinghostsigns.com/the-welcome-inn/

The Welcome Inn was featured in a scene from the RTE series Love/Hate which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEwTOVNnLyw

[2] A pub to avoid on Parnell Street is The Parnell Heritage Bar and Grill. It’s a shame to see such a fine building utterly gastrofied. It’s all grill and no bar, a tourist restaurant. One of the worst ‘pubs’ in Dublin. Just a few meters up on the same street is a sorrowful sight: Patrick Conway’s, a former splendid Victorian pub, long since closed and in a state of disrepair. The pub famously featured in the movie The Snapper where Mr. Meaney downs a pint of stout in celebration of the birth of his granddaughter, Georgina Curley. R.I.P. Conway’s, we never knew ye!

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