9) The Stag's Head of Dame Court, D2
One of the three ‘heads’ making up Dublin’s Cerberus of pubs (see: The Deer’s Head and The Boar’s Head - not to mention the inferior non-beastly heads: Turks and Brazen). There has been a pub on this site since 1770 when it was originally called The Albion Tavern. Now a wondrous Victorian heritage pub, sadly almost impossible to get served or seated in, to say nothing of increasing costliness, a tedious note that alas shall be recurring. Visually arresting with high ceilings and fine timberwork and mirrors, to say nothing of the titular antlered head glowering down over the bar which isn’t a stag’s head at all - but that of a Canadian elk shot through the eye by the former owner George Tyson. (Somewhere in the very far distance down a super massive black hole spins a parallel universe in which ‘The Elk’s Head’ stands on the same said street where the head of a stag scowls down over the same said bar. Fictional fact!).
Mr. Tyson acquired the pub and had it completely rebuilt in 1895 which is what stands today. His name can be seen on the large clock protruding high up and his initials can be found on the decorative iron wrought railings. The pub has an almost churchlike quality with its stained-glass windows and red leather pews. The exterior boasts three bronze stag’s heads which cast a cold eye over the court. The tavern broke new ground in its heyday being the first pub in Ireland to have electric light, and the first pub in Dublin to have a telephone. It’s home to a glorious authentic snug where a skylight marvels and a fox behind glass dominates. To exploit its aesthetic appeal, the Stag's Head has featured in many films, including the Michael Caine-starring Educating Rita and the Albert Finney-starring A Man Of No Importance, to name but two. A lounge is available upstairs for private parties and comedy clubs, and one man shows may be found gigging in the basement. The pub directly opposite was also owned by Tyson and consequently called The Stag’s Tail (now the Dame Tavern), the said basement bar is named in its honour.
A unique piece of advertisement was set into the footpath on Dame Street by order of Tyson: a large colourful mosaic of a stag’s head coupled with a stone arrow pointing to a dark and narrow laneway (also called Dame Court) which leads directly to the pub. For more information a book can be bought: The Stag’s Head: 250 Years of History by Eddie Bohan. When busy, the pub’s patrons spill out into the court and onto Dame Lane where they can drink and shout and spit and piss and puke into plastic cups with impunity [1]. To avoid this madness, be the fortunate imbiber who visits early in the afternoon, a crimson seat will be your reward surrounded by a wooden luxury within the tranquility of the glory of a luscious sunlit stained-glass celebration... In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy etc. etc.
FOOTNOTE
[1] The doors of the following bars all open onto this narrow lane and tiny court which become overpopulated to the point of rupture: Helys, J.T.Pim's, The Mercantile, Dame Tavern, The Stag’s Head, Rí-Rá (nightclub attached to ‘The Globe’), The Exchequer, Mulligan and Haines, 4 Dame Lane, and The Bankers. Summertime sees patrons from all 10 bars spill out in crowds creating a carnival atmosphere unique to all of Dublin. Particularly troublesome during the Covid-19 era.
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