A network for people of Irish heritage
Do you go to the Irish pub?
Hi all,
I have been wondering about something. I used to do quite a bit of travelling for work years ago. Inevitably, no matter where I was I ended up in an Irish bar. It wasn't because I wanted to keep in touch with home. It was more that Irish pubs in many parts of the word are the unofficial clubs of the English-speaking expat communities.
However, the role of Irish pubs is different in different countries and I would love to hear the views of other people on what role, if any, the Irish pub plays in their lives. Is it anything to do with Irishness? Or is it simply a place to meet friends? Is there anything more to the Irish pub phenomena other than a masterful marketing stroke? What do you think?
I have been wondering about something. I used to do quite a bit of travelling for work years ago. Inevitably, no matter where I was I ended up in an Irish bar. It wasn't because I wanted to keep in touch with home. It was more that Irish pubs in many parts of the word are the unofficial clubs of the English-speaking expat communities.
However, the role of Irish pubs is different in different countries and I would love to hear the views of other people on what role, if any, the Irish pub plays in their lives. Is it anything to do with Irishness? Or is it simply a place to meet friends? Is there anything more to the Irish pub phenomena other than a masterful marketing stroke? What do you think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on -
A genuine Irish pub is a really good place to hang out - the drinks tend to be good, the bar tenders efficient etc. The Irish theme pubs are just corny and I avoid them!
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Permalink Reply by Will Kelliher on -
Hi Karl,
Like you where ever I go if I see a Irish Pub I have to go in it. In England I have only been in two.
One in my Home Town which had more Irish going in it before it became a "Irish theme Pub" i'll let you make your own mind up on that one!
The other one in London had G.A.A. Games on T.V. but I didnt meet any irish but I bet they go in.
Ive been in Three In Belgium Two were done out with Irish decor but no Irish People the Third was run by a Man from Dublin who had Boiled Bacon And cabbage on the Menu for St Pats Day,this in my opinion was a Irish Pub.
So what really makes a Irish Pub is Irish People
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Permalink Reply by Nick Brady on -
I frequent Odonghues Irish bar here in Stratford NZ... It has the usual Irish material on display which makes it unique in town... Some bar staff have taken on the job as it working in an Irish bar with traditional Irish music playing Guinness, Kilkenny and Jamesons flowing along with assorted other Kiwi beers.... Good craic happening and a nice relaxing place to spend an evening unlike other normal Kiwi bars where trouble is never far away.... One recent bar manager here tried to get this clientele to come to our bar, offering cheap booze and a relaxed attitude to underagers and was one of the boyz himself...... Did'nt work out he moved on they thankfully have followed him lol...
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Permalink Reply by Aine on -
Hi Karl, I too have done a bit of traveling and always seemed to migrate towards an irish pub on arriving in a new place, is it the chance that you may meet a friendly face? its a real bonus if they serve magners/bulmers,,, oh them were the days!!
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Permalink Reply by Nick McElwee on -
I'll always check out the Irish bar when I'm traveling.But whereas before you were always certain of a good atmosphere and a genuine crowd that's not the case always anymore. God it must have been the 90's when every new pub was an Irish theme bar, certainly in the UK, and that's left a legacy. You're not always sure that what you're stepping into isn't just some cookie cutter brewery financed marketing ploy. But whatever, you still have to go check them out; sure isn't that part of the fun anyway!
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Permalink Reply by Zackary Hollis Dufour on -
I spend more time than what is healthy at our pub in town. Me and my boys like to go hang and watch rugby or basketball, listen to music, and in general have a good craic. Just being around my own people makes it a comfortable place to stay.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Hennessy on -
I was in Barcelona a couple of years ago and I passed an Irish pub. I back tracked and stuck my nose in, it was around 2.30pm and the place was packed with very loud English football fans. It was like an East End pub the only thing missing was the pork pie and the Pearly Queen. It cured me I have never gone into one since....... I lie, went into one in Rome and that was OK.
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