Dublin Craic
Craic
Bhi craic agus ceol againn. (We had fun and music.)
Craic is a uniquely Irish term, referring to the atmosphere – fun and music – in a pub, but also describing a good time and even the latest gossip. I wish you epic craic while in Ireland. Though I am certain you can find it on your own, here are just a few suggestions.
Dublin Craic
Dinner
The Pig’s Ear
4 Nassau St
Dublin 2
Reservations recommended.
Dinner 5:30 - 10pm
Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays
Church
Junction of Mary St & Jervis St
Dublin 1
Built in the early 1700’s, St. Mary’s Church of Ireland (Anglican) closed in 1964. Arthur Guinness married here in 1761; Sean O’Casey – Playwright ‘The Plough & The Stars', – was baptized here in 1880; Theobald Wolf Tone was baptized here in 1763. Now it’s a restaurant, bar, café, and nightclub under current name and ownership since 2007. ('The Plough & The Stars' was such a hard treatment of the 1916 Rising that it caused riots at the Abbey Theatre when it showed as a new work in 1926.)
Mon -Thu 10:30-11:00
Fri – Sat 10:30-01:30
Sun 11:30-11:00
Dublin Craic
Pubs
The Cobblestone
77 King Street North
Smithfield, Dublin
“A Drinking Pub with a Music Problem.” Widely regarded the best trad (traditional) music bar in all of Dublin. Live trad music 7 nights a week. Located in Smithfield, one of Dublin’s oldest neighborhoods which until recently housed the Farm Market and until recently held Horse Fairs the first Saturday of the month. Formerly grimy, the neighborhood is now trendy. The Cobblestone is not to be missed.
Trad Music Sessions
Mon 7pm – Close
Tue - Fri 5pm – Close
Sat - Sun 2pm – Close
Pantibar
7-8 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Panti Bliss is the Queen of Ireland, the drag persona of Rory O’Neill. Panti, the subject of the film 
The Queen of Ireland, is a drag queen and gay rights advocate. Pantibar is her lively bar north of the Liffey.
Mon - Thu 4-11.30pm
Fri - Sat 4pm-12.30am
Sun 4-11pm
The Brazen Head
20 Bridge Street Lower,
Dublin 8
“Still the oldest pub in Dublin.” Dating from 1198, The Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland. Doubt me? Read their website!
The Confession Box
88 Marlborough St, North City
Dublin 1
The last known excommunications from the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland took place during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921). The name of this pub allegedly comes about as many of those who were excommunicated, including the famous Corkonian Michael Collins, would drop into what was then the “Maid of Erin” pub and would receive Communion and Confession from sympathetic priests from the nearby St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Today Pauline and her sister own and run the pub -- tell her hello from Joe of Seattle.
Mon – Thu 11:30 – 11:30pm
Fri 11am – 12am
Sat 11:30 – 12:30am
Sun 11:30 – 11pm
The Ha’penny Bridge Inn
42 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar
Dublin 2
I find it a nice pub often with great music just beyond the craziness of Temple Bar at the south send of the Ha’Penny Bridge.
Daily 10:30am - 11:30pm
The Shelborne Hotel
27 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin
The Shelborne is the classic tony Dublin hotel at which to have a sophisticated drink in the bar. Where Dublin society gathers to raise a glass.
Mon – Tue - 11.30pm
Wed – Thur - 12.30am
Fri – Sat - 1.30am
Sun - 11.00pm
Neary’s
1 Chatham Street
Dublin 2
Neary’s is a UNESCO City of Literature Bar located in Dublin City Centre. The connection to acting and the literary community dates back to 1871 when the Gaiety theatre opened. The stage door to the Gaiety theatre is located opposite the rear entrance to Neary’s. Famous patrons over the years include Maureen Potter, Jimmy O’Dea, Flann O’Brien and Ronnie Drew to name but a few. Neary’s is one of a small number of bars with no television or music, where conversation is a valued commodity.
Mon - Thu 10.30am – 11.30 pm
Fri - Sat 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Sun 12.30 pm – 11.00