Pub Life in Ireland: Visit the famous O'Donoghue's on Merrion Row in Dublin. Great fun!

Dessie Hynes from Longford bought the bar from Paddy and Maureen O'Donoghue in 1977 and ran the pub with his family for 11 years. It is an historically significant drinking establishment located at 15 Merrion Row, Dublin 2, Ireland—near St. Stephen's Green on Dublin’s south side. Built in 1789 as a grocery store, it began operating full-time as a pub when purchased by the O’Donoghue family in 1934. In 1988, O’Donoghue’s was purchased by publicans Oliver Barden and John Mahon. Barden is still the proprietor and continues to run the pub with his family and staff to this day. This pub is closely associated with Irish traditional music and was where the popular Irish folk group, The Dubliners, began performing in the early 1960s. Many other notable Irish musicians—including Séamus Ennis, Joe Heaney, Andy Irvine, Christy Moore, The Fureys and Phil Lynott—have played at O’Donoghue’s, and their photographs are displayed in the pub. There is a lot more to an Irish pub than just having a drink. Pub culture in Ireland has a very long history, but at its core is a sense of camaraderie and friendship. For the last century, the Irish public house has been a social and community centre for the people of Ireland. It functions as both a place to consume alcohol and as a place to meet friends, neighbours and even completely strangers, to converse in a relaxed atmosphere. Feasts are celebrated in the Irish Pub, weddings, funerals, wakes, christenings, birthdays and any other celebrations you can think of.