The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History

Explores the rich social, cultural, and historical life of Dublin’s public houses across centuries.

'Here is a history of publand, yes, but here is a moment in time as well.'

For centuries, the public house has played an important role in the social and cultural history of Dublin. As the headquarters for a major revolution, a mecca of literary invention or a haven from work, ‘the local’ is a cornerstone of community life and a testament to human endeavour in an ever-changing city.

Beginning with the taverns and ale houses of the 17th and 18th centuries, Donal Fallon brings the reader on a visual journey through world renowned public houses such as the Brazen Head, The Long Hall, Grogan’s and The Palace, and on to early houses and gay bars, spirit grocers and shebeens. As well as the establishments themselves, the ‘Plain People of Ireland’ appear in chapters about temperance, karaoke and snugs. Along the way, we meet patrons as diverse and famous around the capital as Theobald Wolfe Tone, Nell McCafferty and Con Houlihan. And visitors to Dublin are also here, as the photographer Lee Miller seeks out the city of James Joyce and Elizabeth Taylor searches in vain for the Ladies’ toilet.

Drawing from rich archival collections, The Dublin Pub includes many previously unpublished photographs as well as testimonies from the past and present to bring the history of the Dublin pub to vivid life.