Irish pubs aren’t just venues to quench your thirst – they are places for storytelling, music-making, merriment, and genuine local culture. And the pub tradition in Ireland is a hallowed one – with many pubs dating back hundreds of years. Explore some of Ireland’s most beloved Irish pubs where you can renjoy a drink, listen to live music, and immerse yourself in authentic Irish hospitality. Here's a look at a few of our favorite places to raise a glass and have a laugh.

Marine Bar, Dungarvan: A historic Irish pub with live music by the fire

Marine Bar in Dungarvan is a cozy spot where you can sit by a peat fire as you quench your thirst, as people have been doing for three centuries. In its earliest days it served as a stop for British Marines based nearby, and later on it became a popular stop for passengers along the stagecoach line, which passed nearby. When the railway led to the end of stagecoach traffic, and emigration rose, the pub’s fortunes declined. Musician Christy O’Neill purchased the bar in recent years, and revived it. Marine Bar is now a lively spot where music lovers gather and local musicians often play. 
Suggested tour: Irish Pub Tour

The Glyde Inn, Annagassan: Seaside Views with C.S. Lewis Inspiration

The Glyde Inn in Annagassan is a seaside haven, renowned for its breathtaking views as the River Glyde meets Dundalk Bay, framed by the distant Mourne and Cooley Mountains. It's a landscape that inspired the writer C.S. Lewis, who used to muse by the fire in the cozy front bar. Steeped in history since the 1770s, this family-run pub offers a magnificent view, a warm hearth, rustic charm, and an authentic welcome. The award-winning restaurant serves up fresh local seafood and hearty classics. CIE Tours guests visit The Glyde Inn on several tours, enjoying live traditional Irish music, delicious fare, and the pub's storied ambiance. 
Suggested Tour: Jewels of Ireland 

Crosskeys Inn, Antrim: Ireland’s Oldest Thatched Pub

Crosskeys Inn is a charming country pub in Antrim- and the oldest thatched pub in Ireland. This old stone cottage, dating back to the 17th century, was once an inn for stagecoach passengers heading between Belfast and Derry. It served time as a shop and post office before its current incarnation as a pub. The authentic thatched roof is a real standout – once everywhere all over Ireland, only a couple of thousand of these traditional roofs remain. The building shows its heritage vividly: the stone floors are worn down from generations of footsteps, the walls are uneven, and the various rooms of the pub have open turf fires. Today the pub is famed for the warm welcome of its proprietors and as a popular spot for traditional musicians.
Suggested tour: Irish & Scottish Sampler

 
Sean’s Bar, Athlone: The Oldest Pub in Ireland and Europe

Sean’s Bar in Athlone can lay claim to being the most historic bar of all. This charming old pub has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub - not just in Ireland, but in Europe! (And likely the world.) The pub has been around since 900 AD. Not only does it have a documented and detailed history, but archeologists have dated some “wattle and wicker” walls -- uncovered in a 1970s renovation – all  the way back to the ninth century. Check out the castle next door – it’s 200 years younger than Sean’s! Visit the pub and you’ll see ancient artifacts on the wall, sawdust-covered floors, and cozy turf fireplaces.
Suggested tour: Scottish & Irish Gold

Walled City Brewery, Derry: Craft Beer and Cultural Regeneration

Walled City Brewery is in Derry, mere steps away from the Peace Bridge that commemorates theprocess which put an end to the Troubles of the last century. Housed in an old military barracks, this stylish brewhouse and restaurant symbolizes Derry’s regeneration. Its history is tragic, but this thriving city is forward-looking and creative. Check out the signature brews, some of which were inspired by the popular TV show Derry Girls. 
Suggested tour: Irish Classic

 

Come along on a CIE Tours vacation, and you could be saying "Sláinte" in one of these pubs before you know it!