The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland. It's quite a claim but is it true? We take a look.
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- čas přidán 4. 01. 2023
- This pub is claimed by its owners to be the oldest pub in Ireland, established in 1198. Looking at the fabric of the present structure its hard to believe that. I would date the front façade to more like 1998. But when we get past all the reclaimed brick, perhaps there’s something more authentic behind?
A lot of work goes into these videos. You can now buy me a pint as a means of appreciation for my work on Naked Ireland, no obligation, obviously - only if you can afford it... I appreciate it. Cheers.
www.buymeacoffee.com/NakedIre...
There is a pleasant little courtyard, again looking more like a modern construction, but people are nevertheless enjoying themselves regardless. On entry to the place this looks a lot like one of those Irish bars that panders very hard to tourists - the telephone box and suit of armour are a case in point.
In fact the Wikipedia insert for the place suggests that the present building was built as a coaching Inn in 1754 and apparently there’s no documentary evidence for the 1198 claim.
Anyway perhaps none of this matters, although it’s not what I was expecting. As we get inside, we see several vibrant bars serving food and full of customers. Without a doubt this is a popular place. It’s described on the website as a gastro pub, so I try the food. The fish and chips were very ordinary - fresh fish but with an anaemic and bland batter. However I have to say that the service was good, despite it being so busy.
Without doubt it’s a place that’s popular and people are evidently having craic here - and there are various different bar areas, so it’s possible that you get a slightly different vibe in each one. I’m certainly not writing the pub off, but if you come here looking for some kind of medieval ale house then you’ll be badly disappointed. I hear a lot of foreign accents around me so I think the “established in 1198” claim is perhaps a good draw for them, however dubious the claim may be.
The Brazen Head’s mission (on their web site) is to give an 'authentic' local bar experience. I think you can do a lot better in Dublin, which after all has some incredible pubs to choose from. Maybe check out some other Naked Ireland videos that look at pubs. Try this one for example:
• Grogan's Bar in Dublin...
Pretty big and charming place. Good video, and congrats for the edition and the information :)
Yes Omar, it’s a massive complex of bars and very busy.
Thanks Greg ☺
It was so coincidental that you mentioned 1998 as that was the year I moved to Ireland!
I've driven past The Brazen Head countless times & have yet to set foot in it!
Have a great weekend my friend 🤗
My film wasn’t 100% positive about the pub, but I wouldn’t let that put you off.
@@nakedireland I loved your honesty! I rarely set foot in pubs these days as the price of meals & drinks is rather unfavourable, plus I always seen to get the drunks talking to me for some obscure reason lol! 🤣
I save those treats now for when I'm travelling 😊
Yeah Rue, it kinda annoys me when we see these old pubs that plaster their walls with old artefacts and bits and pieces in order to make them look like ‘Irish pubs’. So we end up with a sort of Celtic Disneyland!
@@nakedireland I love the way you've phrased it as "Celtic Disneyland" lol! As if people need to be reminded they're in an Irish bar because being located in Ireland is a huge clue! 🤣
Ha ha Rue, as you say, all the hints are there!
The pub looks like great craic and atmosphere but there are numerous wonderful pubs in Dublin to visit
So true
You should do a video on John Kavanagh (The Grave Diggers) pub in Dublin.
That’s on my hitlist Marc, thanks for watching.
As a tourist, we heard this one was a bit touristy, so we avoided it---but we also didn't want to intrude on anything that seemed too local. Best pubs in Dublin, in your opinion?
Hi Gary, I made a film about Grogan’s Pub which you should be able to track down. I’ve a few others to be released which you can look out for: The Long Hall, McDaids, International Bar and The Stags Head - all great Dublin pubs. If you can make it as far as Belfast you MUST go to The Crown Bar (again there’s a Naked Ireland film available on this one)
@@nakedireland cheers!
Seans Bar in Athlone is not just Ireland oldest pub but the oldest in the world and Grace Neills in Donaghadee also claims... But seans bar is the oldest.
I know Grace Neil’s in Donaghadee, but not Sean’s - oldest in the world??
@nakedireland apparently so, Google worlds oldest pub, also in gusiness book records for being the oldest
Wow, I’ve gotta visit that Marc, thanks for bringing that to my attention!
@@nakedireland 😊
I agree with you that it looks touristy, though that's where the money is I guess. Not a place I would go. I have seen better food served in Ireland I must say. I am not a pub person but the very few I visited in Ireland were nicer than that one I think. I went to one in Dublin once which was great but dammed if I recall what it was called now lol.
Maybe it’ll turn up in one of my videos and you recognise it Rob.
@@nakedireland i will certainly keep an eye out 👍
👍🏼
Agreed…much better pubs around Dublin. Brazen Head is okay but not authentic compared to some others…
I’m glad my opinion doesn’t seem to be too controversial Lesley. Thanks for watching.