Monthly Archive for March, 2006

Page 2 of 2

Alexander Knoxx & Co

Published on March 7, 2006 in Clare. 0 Comments

Alexander Knoxx Ennis

Another pub that was recommended to me was Alexander Knoxx and Co. We encountered a bouncer on the door and headed inside. It was packed but Jen managed to get a seat by the bar. There is a very nice seating area at the front of the bar where you can sit and watch people passing on the street. I had a pint of Guinness and it was grand. At one stage even all standing space was taken. I didn’t feel squashed in at all. I took a walk down through the pub and noticed that it is very long. I think there is a restaurant upstairs but am not certain.

I went up another set of steps to the toilet. There was an area up here reserved for people. The toilets were small but their condition wasn’t too bad. The music being played over the system was good and overall this pub was a good experience.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Alexander Knoxx & Co is obviously very popular from the crowd that vacated the place the other night.

Preachers

Published on March 7, 2006 in Clare. 0 Comments

Preachers bar, Temple Gate hotel

Preachers is the bar in the hotel we stayed at. The Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis is built on old monastary grounds and is steeped in history. There are still some original features in the hotel that are very impressive. Their great hall is one example. Preachers is a fine hotel bar with a very high ceiling and huge pillars. Their bar food has a great reputation and may be worth trying. I had one pint of Guinness in the bar. It was a nice pint. There are many different sections in this pub and it can accomodate a good number of people. I was reading that this pub came runner up in the Black and White pub of the year in 2002. It is one of the most stunning bars that i have been in, in a long while. You would have to see it yourself to appreciate it.

The toilets in the hotel are as you would expect of a very good standard. This hotel was very convenient to stay at. It is very central to everything in Ennis and is a warm welcoming family fun hotel. I would recommend a visit to the pub and also a stay at the hotel if you are looking to get away for a night or two.

Toilet rating: 8/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: Preachers at the Temple Gate Hotel is worth a visit.

The Diamond Bar

Published on March 7, 2006 in Clare. 0 Comments

The Diamond Bar Ennis

The Diamond Bar is just across the road from Brogans. This was our last port of call on our first night in Ennis. It is a very small bar and was very busy when we headed in. We sat just inside the door, thats the only space there was. Another pint of Guinness and glass of Budweiser was ordered. Even though the bar staff were very busy we were served quite promptly. The pint of Guinness was a good one as with all the previous ones that night. In house cd’s provided the music and there was quite a good selection playing. A Guinness poster on the wall with a cat and mouse made for funny reading.

The toilets were in good order when i checked them so i have no complaints there. From what i saw on the night this bar is popular. A lot of people appeared to know each other so it is probably a locals spot. Saying that we were made feel welcome. A decent cosy pub to enjoy a drink in.

Toilet rating: 8/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: The Diamond Bar is a small bar that is worth checking out.

Brogans

Published on March 7, 2006 in Clare. 1 Comment

Brogans Ennis

Next off we headed to Brogans which is just down the street. I have previously reviewed a pub of the same name in Dublin. A girl that works with me and knows Ennis well recommended a few pubs to me and this was one of them. Brogans is both a bar and restaurant. We walked in through doors that would be more at home in a bar in the wild west! Brogans is a big pub and we sat across from the bar in a booth of which there are a good few. The bar man was very pleasant and a Guinness and glass of Bud were ordered again. The Guinness was another good pint. In contast with the last pub there was only a few people in here. It is a nice pub but i found because there was a small crowd and without any live music, a bit boring. I noticed a number of national flags hanging from the ceiling.

The toilets were in good condition on checking them. I think if this bar was a bit busier i would have liked it a lot more. I noticed a smoking area out the back as i walked to the toilet. This bar looked like it would be nice for something to eat. I read their bar menu and it looked appetising. Another Ennis pub.

Toilet rating: 7.5/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Brogans is a grand pub that enjoys a good location in Ennis.

Michael Fawl

Published on March 7, 2006 in Clare. 0 Comments

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We went for a chinese on our first night in Ennis. It is called Jasmaine chinese and it was a top class meal and the service was excellent. The first pub that we went into is called Michael Fawl. I thought it read Michael Favl but on closer inspection it appears to be Fawl. There was a group of three girls involved in a Irish trad session that i found very enjoyable. The front part of the bar is narrow and there is another small section down the back of the pub. Being out of Cork i resorted to drinking Guinness which i find fine to drink. This pint was a very good one. Jen had a glass of Budweiser and enjoyed it. It was quite busy here on a Friday night. There was a relaxed atmosphere and we both felt very comfortable. As i sat on the bar stool my attentipn was completely taken up by a 100 years of all Ireland hurling and football final results. They were displayed on a poster near where we were sitting. I could have easily spent an hour looking at it.

I went into the toilet are noticed how small it is. It is very narrow and i only noticed a urinal and no cubicle. I think that there is a cubicle but you have to go in another door. Overall they were ok. I was certainly glad that we went into this pub as it was lively and a bit of fun. I think it is on O’ Connell street in the town.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 7.5/10
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Final comment: Michael Fawl is a grand pub for a drink if in Ennis.

Back Home

Published on March 5, 2006 in Announcements. 0 Comments

Back from an action packed weekend. Plenty of reviews to come.

Ennis

Published on March 1, 2006 in Announcements. 0 Comments

Heading to Ennis for the week-end so that will hopefully bump up the Clare reviews.