The next pub I visited on my quick stop to Macroom Co Cork was Dineens bar on the main street just up from TP Cotters. There was a good crowd inside on heading in. The bar man was extremely welcoming and served me promptly. The pint of Murphys here was top class and I took it down the back of the pub to enjoy it. The television was on in the pub but to be honest it was way too loud. Dineens appeared to be a real locals bar and had a good atmosphere.

The toilets were in good condition on checking. This pub was enjoyable to pop into for a pint.

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

Final comment: Dineens is a pub in Macroom that is worth consideration for a pint of the black stuff or anything else for that matter.

At this stage of the night i was in quite a drunken state so my recollection of O’ Hallorans is not 100%! This bar was very busy when we headed in for a drink. To stick with tradition a pint of Guinness and a glass of Budweiser were ordered. There was cd music playing and there was a good selection. There was a good mixture of people in this pub and there were even a few dancing! The pint was grand but i could only manage half because i had, had enough at this stage. The pub is big and because there was so many people here it is hard to describe it. On the outside of the pub it states that O’ Hallorans is a music bar.

The toilet wasn’t in great condition but it was ok. We both enjoyed our short stop off at this pub and it is a place i would like to head back to again if in the area.

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

Final comment: O’ Hallorans is a lively pub well worth a visit.

Bar 26 is another pub on our quest to conquer Ennis’ many public houses. We encountered bouncers at the door of this pub. There is a long narrow area inside the door of the pub. The area up near the bar was busy but the area at the front was quiet. I ordered our drinks, a Guinness and a Bud and we took a seat. There was a dj playing music and he for no apparent reason would turn up the music to unbearable levels and then down again! The pint of Guinness was only alright, not great. The pub itself is fine. It is most certainly a young persons place. There was a stag party there while we were inside and the groom was tied up and fell backwards and hit his head off the wall. A member of the party asked Jen for her lipstick and gave her a tenner for a nearly used stick! The groom to be was then given an Irish lads makeover!

The toilets were not to be used. Their condition was terrible. The floor was partly flooded and the tap didn’t work. Not what i would consider even useable. Bar 26 would not be a place i will consider heading back to if i am ever in Ennis again. Saying that it attracted a good crowd of people.

Toilet rating:4/10
Pint rating: 6/10
Overall rating: 5/10

Final comment: Bar 26 is another of the vast number of bars in the town.

The Front Bar is next door to Cruises pub in the town. This was much quieter than the previous pub. We took a seat at the bar and were served by a very pleasant bar lady. This pub is long and there are plenty seating areas. Again we ordered a pint of Guinness and a glass of Budweiser. It was quiet for a Friday night in what appeared to be a decent pub. There is nothing striking about the place, it is just a comfortable to enjoy a drink.

I had to ask the staff where the toilets were and found them with a bit of direction. The gents was in very good condition so no complaints there. Even though it is a nice pub it is not somewhere that would stick in your mind.

Toilet rating: 8/10
Pint rating: 7/10
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Final comment: The Front Bar enjoys a prominent location.

Directly across the road to Cruises is where we went next. Most certainly the busiest pub we visited on the trip to Ennis. It is also a restaurant. There was a one man band playing and to be fair to him he was excellent. He was the main reason that this pub was so busy. There was standing room only and the queue was three deep at the bar. A Guinness and a glasss of Bud was ordered and enjoyed immensely. There was a mixture of all ages in Cruises. Because it was so busy it was hard to get a good look at the pub but it is a fairly good size. I took a walk around to see the place and it is certainly the kind of pub that i like visiting.

The toilets are up the back of the pub and were ok on checking them. We spent all our time in this pub listening to the man playing guitar and singing. Cruises is a pub i would head back to again. Jen said there is a nightclub upstairs. Lively and popular.

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

Final comment: Cruises is a bar that is worth visiting in Ennis.

Next up we walked the short distance to Kings Bar and Restaurant. This is a big sized venue. We were greeted by bouncers. One kindly opened the door for us. There was a dj on the right as we headed in. It was busy inside in that all the seats were taken but there was still a lot of room. We walked around towards the back of the pub and eventually perched ourselves at the bar. Another pint of Guinness and glass of Budweiser was ordered. The Guinness was not as good as the previous pubs but was ok. This pub is ultra modern and comfortable. I think it may be a late venue but i am not 100% sure. We could barely hear the dj where we were in the pub.

The toilets were up near the door where we had come in. I used a individual cubicle and it was fine except when i was coming out another guy was trying to push the door in. He apologised when he found out i was using the toilet! A big pub but one i wouldn’t be rushing back to. It is too spaced out and maybe lacks atmosphere. By all means have a drink or some food there yourself.

Toilet rating: 7/10
Pint rating: 6.5/10
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Final comment: Kings is a well run pub from what i saw. Not a bad stop off.

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 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 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.