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.
Irish people have what is referred to as ‘the local’ which is the pub which they frequent possibly every day. There is generally a very close and mutual understanding and informality between the customer and the bar staff and, in many cases, particularly in country pubs, virtually all of the customers will know each other well. Indeed for a barman to ask a local what he’d like to drink would be like asking him what his name was. Ireland has more than 10,000 pubs so you won’t have to travel far to go for a drink. Pubs are the melting pots of social encounters, in which all social ranks come together.
Ireland produces the best Stouts and Whiskeys in the world and the Irish are renowned for their drinking habits. Guinness is indeed not only the most common beer in Ireland, but also something of a national symbol. Irish whiskey, whether Bushmills, Jameson or Blackbush, enjoys great popularity among whiskey connoisseurs and can be found in any good Irish bar around the world.
The Irish Pub is an important part in the Irish culture. The Irish pub has produced many our great writers. James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and Brendan Behan all wrote stories in which the centre of their storoes was the Irish Pub. Many of the great writers searched for their inspiration in Irish pubs.
Another phenomena is the traditional Irish Music Pub, where musicians of all kinds come together for sessions where anyone who wants to can join in spontaneously. This is usually free of charge and many pub owners will return the favour by providing free drinks for the thirsty musicians. Rarely would a tourist return from a trip to Ireland, without a memorable tune burned into their heart. These Traditional music sessions contain the whole gamut of human existence, and often they sing about the passionate affection for drink and its consequences.
When someone invites you to an Irish pub, it is common practice for them to purchase the first drinks. But, you should order the next order before others finish their drinks in order to keep in the spirit.
THE IRISH PUB remains the number one attraction for visitors.
Click here if you want to find out how you can own and run yur own Irish Pub anywhere is the world