Who can lay claim to the title of Ireland’s oldest pub? It’s a vexed question, with several contenders battling it out. The Brazen Head ★★★ in Dublin has been serving customers since 1198, making it an oft-cited candidate for the honor—although detractors would scoff that most of the building was replaced in the 17th century, thus disqualifying it.

The other big contender, however, is Sean’s Bar ★★ on Main Street in Athlone (www.seansbar.ie; 090/649-2358). Records show that there has been a drinking establishment of some kind or another on this site since the astonishingly faraway date of a.d. 900. The fact that a section of wall is believed to be original further strengthens the claim—but again, the extent to which it can be considered the same pub is debatable.

The dispute was finally settled when the Guinness Book of Records ruled in favor of Sean’s. Presumably this means it’s now acceptable to call it officially Ireland’s oldest pub. And, although some of the decor is modern, the fact that you still have to duck low to get in the door gives it an olde feel. Still, to look at the place, you’d certainly never guess that it’s been serving customers since half a millennium before Columbus sailed to America.

 

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