Author Archive for Ryan

The Marlogue Inn is in east Cork, we found it one Sunday afternoon whilst out for a drive around the Cobh area. It’s more or less hiding down a laneway next to a private jetty. At first I was quite surprised to see how busy it actually was. After choosing a table in the shade (without much choice really, practically every other of the at least two dozen tables were taken), we decided to have some lunch. The staff made their best effort to be friendly although I couldn’t really fault them for not having time to make chit-chat as people were crawling over eachother to get food & drink.

Given the massively sunny day, I remained predictable and chose to sip on a pint of Bulmers whilst eating. The food was as nice as could be expected; nothing overly special but tasty all the same. I was again surprised at the cost of the outing, somewhat cheaper than I have come to expect.

I found the inside to be an adequate size with the bar opposite to you as you enter and running the length of that wall. Understandably enough, it was more or less empty inside with the majority of people wanting to bask in the sunshine outside.

If in the area, it’s certainly worth a visit. I’d tell you how to get there if I could remember, just follow the coastline from Cobh and you’ll find it! Good for larger groups on sunny days too I’d say. Nice view out over the water while munching on your lunch.

Across from High Street post office, at the point that High St, Capwell Rd and Southern Rd meet is The Southern Star. It always struck me as being a bit out of the way as far as going for a pint in the city is concerned so I wasn’t at all surprised to see what appeared to be a very local crowd last night when I went in for a pint on a break from all the intense photo taking action (?). Almost everyone at the bar was reading a newspaper, take from that what you wish…

The bar itself is smaller than I had imagined with two small rooms off to the side and back. One appears to be a pool room while the other has a dart board and some kind of neglected games machine standing against a wall. I plonked myself down in front of the window and watched TV for a few minutes whilst sipping my pint. The Murphy’s was good, nothing less than I’d expect from a pub that takes more pride in it’s pints than in it’s appearance.

Not that I’m saying it’s a run-down hell hole or anything, it’s just what I’d have expected from all those years of driving past it catching a quick glimpse in the open door. Not an establishment that would handle huge crowds very well, it falls into the category of “comfortable local” nicely. I’d have no hesitation in going back there if I was in the area, although next time I’d bring a newspaper and sit at the bar.

When in Schull and hungry sit outside and have a bite to eat. It’s about as simple as that. On a misguided fishing trip one recent Saturday, myself and Foss decided to stop for a sandwich and of course a pint. As we sat outside, the sun both split the stones and kept our toasties warm. No finer day than to sit and sip and look down the main street of Schull at the bustling crowd. Having never been in any other pubs in the town, I can only speculate that this one is the best.

The food was superb on both visits and I can’t exactly fault the drink either. It’s difficult to make a hames of opening a bottle of Bulmers nowadays with all your newfangled bottle opening technology. There was a decent crowd inside the pub but to take full advantage of the weather we strayed outside onto a picnic bench. It’s one of those situations where you question your ability to get up and walk away. You just know you could happily stay there all day sipping pints and watching the world go by. Any pub that can make you not want to leave must be doing something right.

…or else I’m an alcoholic.

Deceptive from the outside, I really wasn’t expecting the high ceilings or sheer size of establishment from the appearance of the outside. Everyone is welcome here, be you 18 or 80. Both ends of the age spectrum were suitably represented on my Sunday night visit. It seems like a pub who’s clientelle are mainly composed of locals. Is that a strange statement or does it just sound strange in my head? People living in the immediate vicinity is perhaps a better explanation. I can’t see anyone travelling great distances to drink here so tonight the bulk of the drinkers could possibly have been from the Turners Cross locality. There was a one-man-band in operation with a hugely suspect backing track and he managed to provide adaquite background noise throughout our visit.

It was a nice extra to be offered a stool by a gentleman collecting glasses. Suitably busy not to run into bankruptcy but not uncomfortably packed to the gills. Should you visit? Will I re-visit? I think the only reason for either is if there is a specifically planned event taking place or if there is a reason for being there. It’s perfectly nice and offered a pint similar to anything I’d expect from a busy city centre pub but I can’t see myself going back in there just because I fancy a drink somewhere in Turners Cross. Am I being too harsh? Possibly. Was the half hour I spent in there too little time to fully appreciate all it has to offer? Quite likely. I’m sure if interviewed, some of the locals could offer a list of reasons to drink here. Same story the whole world over.

A nice layout and nice atmosphere. Nothing original or special. Somewhere to bring your parents & old granny after Sunday lunch perhaps?