Archive for the 'Kerry' Category

No not in Weatherfield but actually in Tralee Co. Kerry. The Rovers Return is a pub that we visited on our recent night out in the town. When we walked in we noticed a small pub with two men sitting at the bar and a very friendly bar man serving. There is some seating on the left as you go in and there is a pool table at the back of the bar. A pint of Guinness and a pint of draught Bulmers were ordered and they both went down very well and were good pints. There was no sign of Betty or any hot pots what so ever!

We had a few games of pool on the table that costs 1 euro a game and enjoyed it. The gents toilets that i saw are very small but they were in quite good condition. This pub is not the most popular in Tralee but for the famous pub name that it has it is certainly worth a visit. We let the bar man know we were from Munster pubs and gave him one of our cards.

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

Final comment: The Rovers Return pub in Tralee is a far cry from its name sake in Coronation Street but it is one that we both enjoyed.

The next pub we frequented on our visit to Tralee’s pubs was Willie Darcy’s. As you walk into this pub there is a nice heated smoking area looking out onto the square. This is a very small pub and was busy when we went in. We managed to get a seat and a Guinness and a pint of draught Bulmers was ordered. I have to say that the pint of Guinness was excellent and went down very well. I did notice that there was a good few others enjoying pints of the black stuff as well. The bar man was friendly and efficient in his service. One of the features inside this pub is the wooden kayak hanging above the bar. There are also several wine bottles acting as candle holders and covered in wax.

The toilets are quite small and needed attention when i saw them. To be fair a member of staff did just that and after being seen by my brother the toilets were cleaned. I really enjoyed this pub as it had a very good atmosphere and there was a good mixture of people inside. Certainly one to check out if in Tralee.

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

Final comment: Willie Darcy’s is a little gem of a pub.

After we left Cha Healy’s we walked across the road and decided to head into Bowlers Bar. To be honest Jen had some reservations about going into this pub as it doesn’t look too appealing from the outside. I am glad that we didn’t judge the pub on how it looked outside. We walked into this pub and basically its just a relatively long bar. There is nothing spectacular about the place, just a few seats to the left. There was five older men sitting at the bar and i was amazed of how little notice they took of us as we walked in. It was quite clear that this was not a bar for a huge crowd or of people making a lot of noise. This is a pub that you go in and have a quiet few pints in. I ordered a pint of Guinness and diet 7up and the lady at the bar was telling me that business was way down because gardai was enforcing the drink driving laws rigidly. I asked her if there was much trouble in the town in the course of the conversation and she sarcastically told me that if there was a window broken in the town, it would be major news!!

The toilets in the bar appear modern and were very clean. There was towel there for drying your hands but i opted not to use it after remembering how long the infamous towel had vacated Cogans bar! We stayed for another drink and i had another guinness and i have to say that they were the best pints of the night. Would i recommend this pub? Yes, but its appeal is to people who like a quiet pub with a friendly greeting.

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

Final comment: Bowlers bar was a very enjoyable place for a quiet pint in a country pub.

We were down in Waterville recently for a few days and headed into Cahersiveen on one night. We went into The Kerry Coast Inn on the main street. It was very quiet on the Sunday night we went in. There was just a four young guys sitting at the bar. I ordered a pint of Guinness and a glass of diet coke. The Guinness was a nice pint. This bar is quite small and is very moden. I am not sure how old this pub is but i don’t think it has been there long, although i am open to correction on that.

I didn’t check the toilets so can’t comment on them. The girl behind the bar was quite pleasant. When we left the pub we saw that there is also a nightclub at this venue called ‘Pulse Night Club’. It was an uneventful visit to this pub and i would say when it is busy you could have a good night here.

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

Final comment: Kerry Coast Inn is one of the many pubs in this town.

We drove to Knightstown and to Bostons Bar next. It is very near a restaurant called Fuchsia that is quite popular. We headed in and found it to be very busy. There was a load of bikers enjoying drinks and food. They had all the bar stools occupied and also the seats across from the bar. They appeared to be having a good time. We got a seat just past the bar on the right hand side. I also noticed another section at the back of the pub. I ordered the pint of Guinness and a latte at the bar and was served efficiently by the friendly bar man. The pint of Guinness was another very good one. The two drinks came to 6 euro. There is a lot of ship memorabilia around this bar and there is also a lot of Kerry flags. The bar food menu looked very appetising.

The toilets were fine when i checked them. There was a notice up telling customers to inform staff if the toilets were in a poor condition of if there was no toilet roll etc. This to me is a very good idea. Overall this pub is grand for a drink. Obviously there was some bikers event on in the area as there was so many inside.

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

Final comment: Bostons is another of the pubs on Valentia Island.