The Notebook

Off-Season IrelandNotebook No 26November 2024

A pint in John Mulligan's

Poolbeg Street, the bar that hasn't changed since the war.

Collected by Deborah. Read her editorial perspective

When we discuss Dublin pubs, Mulligan's on Poolbeg Street invariably enters the conversation. It is the measuring stick for other establishments, a place where a correctly poured pint is an expectation, not a rarity. Many visitors, regrettably, walk past this genuine piece of Dublin history.

A pint in John Mulligan's

West Cork in February

Claiming a seat by the fire in winter offers a welcome break from the city's persistent dampness. We've learned that the tables along the right side of the room are implicitly reserved for Mulligan's long-standing patrons, a tradition we readily honor. This small detail provides insight into the bar's sustained identity.

After your visit, take a circuitous path back towards Trinity College, allowing yourself to wander through the quiet side streets. This is how your evening at Mulligan's concludes.

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From the notebook

Editorial itineraries from Ireland.

Collected notes. A few times each season.