Why visit just one pub when there’s a whole village of them to round out the experience? Especially when that village is Doolin, Ireland.
Located in the northwest corner of County Clare on the edge of The Burren and near the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin is also situated on the Wild Atlantic Way and has long served as a ferry gateway to the Aran Islands. But the village is also the self-proclaimed “home of traditional Irish music” – and music means pubs!
But before venturing out on a crawl, visitors can take in a host of daytime activities, such as hiking along seaside trails, perhaps as far as Doolin Castle; venturing out to the Arans or the nearby Cliffs of Moher; or delving into Doolin Cave, home of one of the world’s free-hanging stalactites.
When the time comes to add enjoying an Irish ale or a frothy Guinness to the list of the day’s achievements, there are over half a dozen pub options, almost all with nightly music – either scheduled or through traditional jam sessions.
It should be noted that the atmosphere is ideal for families. My kids loved it when we visited a few years – the lively, swirling music in particular setting the foundation for a great evening of craic.
Here are three of the most popular options:
Gus O’Connor’s: In business since 1832, O’Connor’s, located on Fisher St. in the heart of the picturesque village, is famous not only in Doolin, but across Ireland, for its planned and spontaneous music “seisiuns” starting at 9 p.m. nightly (along with various festival events), traditional food (such as Beef & Guinness stew and Cod & Chips), drinks, and turf-fire.
McDermotts: A youngster dating only to 1867 “Mac Diarmada” is a traditional establishment known for hosting top-notch Irish musicians, home cooked meals, and including local craft beers and select Irish whiskeys amongst its beverage offerings. The atmosphere is suitably cozy inside, but there’s also an outdoor patio to take advantage of that sometimes rare Irish sun.
McGann’s: Another famed name in Doolin, McGann’s excels in the holy trinity of beer, food and music. Rooms can also be booked and the Main St. location means walking to almost anything in town is a breeze.
No matter which pub one visits in Doolin, visitors are sure to experience céad míle fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes).
For a closer look at Doolin, check out this
(“Pub Crawl” is an ongoing series in which we reveal some of our favourite public houses, both at home and abroad – and, in the spirit of the establishment, invite you to share with us yours. Send suggestions to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com. Cheers!)
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