129) Kennedy's of Westland Row, D2

Fancy city central pub located around the back of Trinity College, a favourite of more affluent students and lecturers, perhaps especially of a scientific and medical bent, given its proximity to the university's east end. Indeed there’s a window view overlooking the campus at the back of the lounge. First established in 1850 it has an outstanding red brick façade which includes two intricate arches over the lounge and bar. The downstairs area used to function as a theatre and music venue, but nowadays is a swanky cocktail bar called ‘The Station.’

Much frequented in the past by the literary likes of Samuel Beckett and James Joyce, who granted it a mention in Ulysses (at a time when it was known as Conway's, the preferred haunt of C.P. McCoy, Bantam Lyons and Hoppy Holohan). Joyce readings which take place across the road in the famous Sweny’s Chemist often finish up here with celebratory pints. The original Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy had a most famous employee here at one time: none other than Oscar Wilde who briefly worked in this building before it became a pub.

Notoriously, along with the Long Hall, O'Reilly's and the Lombard, this was one of four prominent city central pubs we inexplicably neglected to include in our list despite many visits made to each, their embarrassing absence only noted late in the day, resulting in shamefaced correction of the oversight. So much for the pretence of thoroughness.

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