Author Archive for Eoin

The Mills Inn

Published
by
Eoin
on June 2, 2010
in Cork
. 0 Comments

This is a famous landmark pub located just outside Ballyvourney Co Cork. You’l find it on the Killarney side across from the turn off from my old Irish college town Cul Aodha. Most people who have travelled this road will know where this pub/restaurant/shop is. I have been in here twice recently, once for a pint and on another occasion for food. It is quite a big pub that was very busy on both occasions i was there. I had a pint of Murphy’s and it went down a treat. There are many seating areas and an abundance of waiting staff to serve you. When we got food there it was a mega feed. We all ordered the special of the day which was turkey and ham and it was great and reasonable as well.

It would be a good place to watch a match while having a bite to eat and a drink. The toilets were in very good condition when i checked them and i couldn’t find fault there. Overall this is a pub that is well worth stopping off at, especially for food as it is most certainly a food pub. Check it out for yourself.

Toilet rating:8/10
Pint rating: 7.5/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: The Mills Inn has a fantastic reputation as a pub serving food and their drink isn’t too bad eithier.

Healy Raes

Published
by
Eoin
on June 2, 2010
in Kerry
. 0 Comments

Coming along the road from Kenmare a few weeks ago we stopped off in this pub in the small town of Kilgarvan. I have wanted to go into this pub for years and finally headed in at around lunch time on a Sunday. There was nobody else in the pub at the time except the lady behind the bar and a dog. A guinness and a diet 7up were ordered and the pub was taken in. It’s not the most comfortable pub in the world but it certainly has a lot of charm. We sat across from the bar and the pint was delivered by the very friendly bar lady. She chatted to us during the visit and was telling us a bit about the pub and also about her home in Eastern Europe. There are lots of pictures up behind the bar and also lots of notices of local events scattered around. The pint of Guinness was a very good one and i could have no complaints.

The pub itself is relatively small and has a few different sections. While i was walking to check the toilets i noticed a room at the back with a big television. The gents toilets were reasonably maintained but like the rest of the pub could be described as old fashioned. Overall our quick visit to this pub was enjoyable and i would have certainly liked to have been there when it was busier. It is definately one to check out if in Kilgarvan.

Toilet rating: 6/10
Pint rating: 7.5/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: Healy Raes is owned by a very prominent local family. I don’t think i need to tell you their names! It’s not a pub that will appeal to everyone but i found it charming.

Park Hotel Bar

Published
by
Eoin
on May 6, 2010
in Kerry and hotel
. 0 Comments

We spent a fantastic night away in the most elegant Park Hotel Kenmare two weeks ago. We had wanted to go here for a while and finally made the journey down. The service in the hotel was the best i have experienced anywhere in the world and this is testament to Francis and John Brennan and their excellent team. On arrival at the hotel we decided to have the one drink in the bar. Since our daughter arrived, this is something we don’t/can’t do at all much any more. The bar man told us to take a seat and that he would drop the drinks over. He was dressed in a tuxedo and was chatting to a couple at the bar who had every interest in talking to him but not much between themselves. The Guinness and the glass of chardonnay went down a treat so we decided why not have another. Of course service being as it was i only needed to look in the direction of the bar man and he read my mind! Those next drinks were even nicer so we stayed for a third before checking out the hotels facilities.

After possibly the best meal i have ever consumed we wobbled our way to the bar and listened to this amazing piano player. He even started playing some Beatles tunes when i walked in. Again reading my mind! We just lounged about for a couple of drinks before retiring to our ultra comfortable room. The bar area is split into three. There is the bar itself then there is another room off the bar and the piano area as well. There are plenty comfortable seats and couches available for use. The toilets were just immaculate. You could have literally eaten your dinner off the floor there. There is a small room you enter before the toilets and then you’l find the spacious and spotless toilets. I have to say that i fully recommend visiting this hotel. It is not cheap but here you most certainly pay for what you get, which is exellence in every sense of the word.

Toilet rating: 9/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 8.5/10

Final comment: This is one of the highest ratings i have ever given in all my time reviewing. From the carpets to the old portraits scattered everywhere this is a must visit at least once kind of place.

Pubs closed down

Published
by
Eoin
on April 26, 2010
in Announcements
. 0 Comments

There has been pubs closing down everywhere at an alarming rate. Since we started reviewing there have been lots that have closed down or are gone completely. I was looking recently at these pubs and here they all are: 1: The cheeky monkey Cork City, Cleavers Cork city, Corner house, Carrigaline, The Lobby Cork city, Ryans, Douglas, Kennedys Cork city, The grand circle, Cork city, Issac bells Cork city, Sam’s, Ringaskiddy, Gallaghers, Cork city, Loughbeg tavern, Ringaskiddy, Boo, Cork city, John Barleycorn hotel, Glanmire, Darby’s, Ballincollig, The head of the river, Cork city, The Brog Maker, Frankfield, Hourihans, Passage West, RubyJones, Douglas, Bialo Czerwoni, Cork city, Sheppos, Innishannon, The local, Innishannon, Bennigans, Mahon point, Goat broke loose, Cork city, JD Styles, Cork city, Ruby Tuesdays, Cork city, The thirsty scholar, Cork city, O’ Flahertys, Cork city, Dennehy’s bar, Dennehys cross, Western star, Western road, Hanny Macs and Barry Murphy’s, Cork/Macroom road, Aoife Landers, Cork city. There are possibly more that i have mentioned in other counties but wouldn’t know they have closed. it’s amazing to see how many are gone in Cork alone.

Callanan

Published
by
Eoin
on April 20, 2010
in Cork
. 0 Comments

This is a gem of a pub. I am not sure if i should even be posting this as people who drink here want to keep it a secret! I have to do my duty though and tell you a little bit about it. This pub is located on Georges quay just across from the bridge leading onto the South Mall and Grand parade. I headed in there before going for a meal quite recently and i perched myself at the bar and had a chat with the three other guys inside. I had a pint of Murphy’s and it was spot on. It was great to walk into a pub where there was no sign of a tv or loud music. All they have and need in here is good oul banter. I joined in the conversation with the three other guys and the bar man. They were commenting on a bar not far away that was attracting a ‘rough crowd’. I decided to break my cover, which i rarely do and tell them that i was doing a review. They didn’t seem too bothered as you couldn’t be that negative about the place. The bar man himself was very unassuming and joined in the conversation every so often. One particular chap didn’t believe that i was for real and i couln’t convince him otherwise!

There is plenty memorabilia on the walls and you could fill this pub with 20 people i would say. I have heard one of my good friends speak very highly of this pub and i can see why. The toilets are quite small but their condition was fine. I found visiting this pub to be a very enjoyable experience.

Toilet rating: 6.5/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10

Final comment: This is definately one i will be returning to in the not too distant future. A real public house.

Mulligans

Published
by
Eoin
on April 20, 2010
in Cork
. 0 Comments

The next stop off was Mulligans bar on Parnell place in Cork city centre. This pub used to be located just a few doors up in a smaller premises. Before Mulligans took over the present bar it was called jd styles. Again i headed in myself and there was a group of 20 something girls just leaving. There wasn’t a big crowd inside but saying that i was in there about half seven. This bar is very big and has plenty of seating areas. It didn’t seem to me that there had been many changes since the jd styles days. That being said about the place itself, there is a certain change in the quality of the service and stout. The man serving behind the bar didn’t leave me standing for a second and had a fantastic pint of Muphy’s pulled within a few minutes. It was one of the nicest i’ve enjoyed for a while. I took a seat and watched a match on the tv. The few other people inside appeared to be mostly couples.

The toilets were big and were certainly in good condition. I have to say that even though it wasn’t busy i felt there was a good atmosphere in this pub. I am sure that it gets much busier later in the night. A nice relaxing pint of the black stuff.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 8/10
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Final comment: I would recomment heading into Mulligans but maybe a bit later. I’l most certainly head back for a drink.

The Sextant

Published
by
Eoin
on April 20, 2010
in Cork
. 0 Comments

I must say that i don’t get a lot of time for pub reviewing these days but recently i did check out some fine Cork city centre establishments. I was meeting friends for dinner and got the times mixed up so being early i decided to head to the sextant bar. I have heard a lot of people saying this was ‘the place to be seen’ in the city so was interested to see what i would find. Over the years i have gone into many pubs on my own and the crowd in some has been more welcoming than others. I headed in to the sextant bar on Albert Quay and ordered a pint of Murphy’s at the bar. Apparently there has been a lot of work done to this bar in the recent past and it’s changed the kind of clientele it attracts. The service at the bar was efficient and friendly and i managed to find a seat just across from the bar. There was a good crowd of people inside, most looking as if they had come straight from work. It was about 7pm when i was there. I have to say that i enjoyed the music being played over the sound system. There was a good atmosphere inside and everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.

The pint of Murphy’s was a very good one and no complaints there. The bar itself is quite small and there is a smoking area available. It has quite a lot of character. I found the toilets to be very small and can only accomodate about three people at a time. There was no lock on the cubicle door. If being honest i thought this was a good bar to visit but certainly not one of the best in the city in my opinion.

Toilet rating: 5.5/10
Pint rating 7/10
Overall rating: 7/10

Final comment: The sextant is one to check out to see what people love about it.

Facebook

Published
by
Eoin
on April 20, 2010
in Announcements
. 0 Comments

Munsterpubs have set up a Facebook page. It will hopefully promote the site to a wider audience and especially to more people in the Munster area. Check us out on Facebook and become a friend. Looking forward to seeing ye all!!

The Criterion

Published
by
Eoin
on March 12, 2010
in Cork
. 0 Comments

I visited this very homely bar a while back. The Criterion is in Passage West, Co Cork. I had a few pints here and must say that the Murphy’s on tap here is top quality. Five of us headed in on the night and two of the gang are regulars. We got a seat to the left inside the door. There was a band playing on the night and they were good. The pub itself is small with loads of character. We met with the owner and she was very friendly and even offered us a lift home which was politely declined but very much appreciated. There was a great atmosphere on the night we were there.

I found the toilets to be in very good condition on checking. No complaints about them. Overall i found the staff and other patrons to be chatty and friendly and a retun visit is inevitable i imagine. There are a fair few pubs in Passage and this is most certainly one to check out for a good pint and a bit of craic.

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

Final comment: The Criterion is a fine public house. If in the area do pop in!

A nice compliment about the site!

Published
by
Eoin
on February 24, 2010
in Announcements
. 0 Comments

Hi Eoin and Ryan,
Just wanted to say what a cool website this is. I’m over in Cork on a work visa
from Canada. There is nothing I love more than a delicious pint and good
conversation in a cosy pub. I’ve made it my goal to visit as many of Cork’s pubs
as I possibly can before I get booted out of the country. I love reading through
your reviews. Keep up the good work!
Shevon Murphy