44) The Lark Inn of Meath Street, D8
Looming grimly in the heart of the Liberties [1], a funereal and positively prison-like concrete exterior does not inspire confidence in the newcomer. But within was welcoming enough, if dark and somewhat depressing (daylight did not apply), a scene of endless night in granny's whiskey sodden parlour– a knowledgeable local hero concurred with Christopher Hitchens' condemnation of Mother Theresa, and shared gossipy anecdotes about the corruption of her limousine-hogging nuns. Seemingly, an Irish Republican pub with an especial affection for James Larkin (the pun is in the name).
Update: it has since been significantly refurbished and is nowadays stinking of varnish and disinfectant – the bland influx of daylight has chased away the foreboding distinction it once enjoyed.
Update since Covid-19: Like many pubs taking advantage of this long period of forced dormancy during the pandemic the Lark Inn is no different and is undergoing extensive refurbishment. Word on Meath Street however tells of a more dangerous tail. It is rumored that an old stone chimney toppled from the uppermost flat and fell through the ceiling into the pub causing major damage. Lives would surely have been lost had it been full of drunks. Lady Fortune, spin that wheel!
Update as of September 2023: Fast-forward or jump-cut some seven years from our first derogatary entry - and o my o my, but how times change! How the ugly duckling became a swan! The Lark Inn is now one of the most resplendent spots on Meath Street, pristine and shiny (though still deeply dark within, no escaping the lack of light), impeccably painted and refurbished, its exterior and interior both much reupholstered, altogether given a new lease of life. Best of all for the Publopedians, it now serves a bussing Beamish for 4:60 euros - a solid euro less than our fave Lord Edward, and a welcome riposte to the (until-then) truism that there’s no Beamish in the Liberties, hitherto a desert. In this respect, the Lark is leading the way, and long may it quark! Toasties are also served, and many a betting man is present at the counter. Heartwarming to see a pub revamp in this fashion - many do it for the worse, in this case it was very much for the better. The Lark hit the mark
Jim, Willie and James deliberate where it all went wrong for the Labour Party
FOOTNOTE
[1] Also on Meath Street is a new pub called Lucky’s, formerly: The Liberty Bar. Minimalist very. (Also the owner of a new bar in D.8 called The Magnet (see: Agnes Brownes). It’s the baby Bernard Shaw of the Liberties. Not dissimilar to a secondary school classroom but for a set of beer taps. It’s frequented by droves of college students from the nearby NCAD. And there’s like totally a like, this like, totes amazeballs like, super trendy and like, super hip non-binary beer-garden where like, cocktails and like pizza, and like, craft beer is like totally served.
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