The pub continues to be a mainstay of Irish social life. With more than10,000 specimens throughout the country, there are pubs in every city,town, and hamlet, on every street andat every turn. Everyone has a “local”—a favorite pub near home—where heor she goes for a drink and some conversation. But there is a big distinction between the way the Irish use theirpubs and the way, say, the French usecafes. Where as the French hang out incafes day or night, a recent study conducted by the Vintners’ Federation ofIreland revealed that 80% of drinkers do not go to the pub until after 9pm.The origin of pubs reaches back several centuries to a time when neighbors would gather in a kitchen to talk and maybe sample some home brew. As acertain spot grew popular, word spreadand people came from all directions,always assured of a warm welcome.Such places gradually became knownas public houses—”pubs,” for short. Intime, the name of the person whotended a public house was mounted over the doorway, and many pubs stillbear a family or proprietor’s name,such as Davy Byrnes, Doheny andNesbitt, or W. Ryan. A good percent-age of these have been in the same family for generations. Although they might have added televisions, pool tables, dartboards, or nightly musicsessions, their primary purpose is stillto be a stage for conversation and a warm spot to down a pint.

Tags: ireland, PUBS