133) O’Donoghue’s of Suffolk Street, D2

Not to be confused with the famous O’Donoghue’s of The Dubliners fame, Merrion Row. Quite a pious atmosphere here at times which was explained by the on-duty barman: many of the impressive wooden features of the bar were salvaged from an old church after its demolition. Despite a sky dome at the back it holds a very dark interior and is in need of a great deal of candlelight by day, still more by night. Live music is a regular feature. This pub ought to be a student local given its proximity to Trinity College but alas, cash is king and the prices are high. Possibly appears in Ulysses under the name of Slattery's. 

It should also be mentioned that it seems to function as a not-so-early early house – or at least, an earlier house than some of those officially designated thus. After a fruitless odyssey both north and south, including both a greasy fry and a stop in a church, begun in the dark at 7am on Sunday the second of February two-thousand-and-twenty A.D. (02/02/2020 – won't happen again for another hundred years!), we were never gladder than to stumble upon O'Donoghue's, which had been serving liquor since opening at 9am (and who cares if the Guinness vends at a nasty €5.60, when you're desperate you'll rejoice and cough up). As if to amplify our weak-kneed joy, the pipes blared out a rousing rendition of The Boys Are Back In Town – heightening the impression that life was only a movie after all, and a feel-good montage was sure to follow. It would move you to a bowel movement - and it did!

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog represent personal opinions and perspectives only. Read more.