The Search for the Authentic Irish Pub
The Irish pub is a special place. Warmth and friendship, good humor and unending conversation seem to flow from the pumps along with the Guinness. Just one night can open your eyes to why the Irish enjoy a strong pub culture that's got a lot to do with the beer but also a lot to do with the conversation too. A night in an authentic pub can be one to remember and relish.
Note the word authentic though. I'm not talking about an Irish pub called McSomething-or-other in the heart of New York or Molly's this-or-that in the middle of Bourbon Street, New Orleans. And I don't care if they've imported all the furniture and knick-knacks directly from Ireland. You can't package atmosphere and export it.
No, I'm talking about the real deal, guaranteed Irish, genuine article, local country pub in the heart of the beautiful but endlessly rainy Irish countryside. I mention the rain for a couple of important reasons. Firstly, the rain always affords you a wonderful excuse to frequent the pub and secondly, the damp weather has always encouraged public house owners to have fireplaces in their establishments. Just think of that inviting, roaring fireplace on a cold and damp evening. No need to say anymore.
Now in your search for the authentic pub, don't presume that you can just pop into the nearest one you find when you step off the plane. It's not that easy. Even in this country awash with pubs you need to look around if you want to find the traditional, old-fashioned one that has been the heart and soul of country life for......well, for as long as anyone can remember and that's sufficient. Your best bet is to get away from the cities and towns and find the smallest village you can find or even better, find an isolated pub in the heart of the countryside.
As the Irish would say, "you'll know it when you see it," and you certainly will if you look out for a few important ingredients that the genuine country pub will have if its worth its pint of Guinness. Firstly, when you walk in the door everyone sitting around the counter (it's a counter in Ireland, not a bar) will turn to stare at you. This gives you the hint that very few strangers ever enter the place, so you're on the right track.
Next there must be at least two older men, wearing caps (and I'm not talking baseball caps here) and sitting at one corner of the counter. They should each have a half-finished pint of Guinness in front of them and should stare at you with some suspicion. At this stage everyone in the pub should be having a whispered conversation about who you might be.
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