The Brazen Head
Walking through the narrow cobbles of Lower Bridge Street, you arrive at The Brazen Head — a pub with more stories than most entire cities. The claim: a hostelry has stood on this very site since 1198. While the present building is a later coaching inn (c.1754), the aura of centuries lingers in its fireplaces, low ceilings, worn flagstones, and wood-warmed rooms. Inside, multiple cozy chambers await — some for dining, others for raising a glass by the bar. Portraits of literary greats (Joyce, Swift) and Irish revolutionaries decorate the walls, whispering echoes of past gatherings. By night, the place comes alive with traditional Irish music; the pub offers nightly sessions (after 9 pm) and particularly vibrant Sunday afternoon sessions (around 3:30–6:30 pm). Expect the low hum of chatter, fiddles weaving through song, and pints clinking in time. The food menu leans hearty and homey: Irish stew, beef & Guinness stew, fish & chips, mussels, and a mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine served in atmospheric surroundings. The pub also boasts a courtyard — an enclosed cobbled outdoor space when weather allows — giving a touch of al fresco charm between the stone walls. Beyond drinks, food, and music, the Brazen Head is a living museum of Dublin’s narrative. Rebel groups met here (United Irishmen in 1798, Robert Emmet plotted uprisings). Literary guests have included James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, Brendan Behan, among others. It’s a place where present and past sit side by side — where your pint joins the centuries. Visit at midday for lunch in dim light, or later when the fire is crackling, music beckons, and every corner feels like a secret room. This pub doesn’t just host your drink — it folds you into its history.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
