Mulligan's of Poolbeg Street, Dublin

There are quite a few pubs with the name of Mulligan's, this one on Poolbeg Street must be the oldest however. Established in 1782 Mulligan's hasn't changed much for at least 150 years. In the 20th century this was a favourite pub of journalists, The Irish Times has been based close by since 1895. Today this pub is still busy with a mixture of patrons, it specialises in Guinness and some would say, myself included, that Mulligan's does one of the finest pints of Guinness in Ireland. Famous visitors in the past include Judy Garland and John F. Kennedy.

More to come of course, if you have any suggestions for your favourite pubs in Ireland do let me know by sending a message.

O'Donoghue's, Merrion Row, Dublin

Just before we head out of the capital for some of Panoramic Ireland's favourite Irish pubs, let's stop by one of Dublin's most famous pubs - O'Donoghue's. This pub is legendary, it's white and black frontage is distinctive and it was here in the 1960s that The Dubliners, one of Ireland's most famous bands formed and played regularly. Phil Lynott is also said to have played here. Today the pub has music every night of the week and it has an authentic mix of locals and tourists alike.

Foxy John's, Dingle, County Kerry - Ireland

This is one of Ireland's most authentic pubs, doubling up as a hardware shop - note the boxes of things behind the counter here in this image as regulars enjoy a few pints, and a sandwich.

It's one of those places where a barman or barmaid can easily get work in a hardware environment due to that experience of selling pints and nails, sandpaper, hammers, saws, gloves etc... here. It would be a shame to visit Dingle and not visit Foxy John's.

Mark Hamill and the Star Wars crew had a party here when filming on the Dingle Peninsula.

Nancy Blake's, Limerick City, Ireland

This famous Limerick pub has been in the same family ownership since the 1950s, located close to the city's famous Milk Market - home of good local food, Nancy Blake's is one of those truly interesting pubs. Cosy and warm at the front but cavernous out back gives it both a friendly feel but it is also lively with regular band performances. Walk through the front door and you'd be forgiven for thinking it is an old man's bar, with not a lot of interest to the visitor but not at all, the locals and bar staff are welcoming and it's usually possible to find a good place to sit. Definitely one of Panoramic Ireland's favourite places to visit in lovely Limerick.

Kehoe's, South Anne Street, Dublin

Established in 1803 and changed little since, Kehoe's is easy to find as it is located just off Grafton Street and is always busy in the evenings (except during the lockdown obviously). It also sits close to Umbrella Street. I'm not sure if the door was built in quite such a way, my guess is that it has seen a lot of action over the past 200 years. Step inside to this fine pub and find a snug, lots of character, and upstairs, lots of creaky floorboards to tread, tables to sit at and sofas to sit on. Often Kehoe's wins Best Pint of Guinness awards and best Pub awards, with good reason.

Tynan's Bridge House Bar, Kilkenny

Established a full 100 years earlier than Kehoe's above in 1703, Tynan's was originally a pharmacy and grocer and only became a pub in 1919. Sitting on the banks of the River Nore it still retains its old charm, as you enter the front bar you step across a colourful tiled floor, with drawers that would have contained the various spices labelled in yellow writing such as cocoa nibs, epsom salts, nutmeg, allspice, rice and beeswax amongst others. I have seen it mentioned that Tynan's is Kilkenny's oldest pub but I don't think this can be true, even the building is young in Kilkenny terms and especially since, just around the corner on Kieran Street is Kyteler's Inn which dates back as an inn to the mid sixteenth century. But Tynan's is definitely one of the best pubs in Kilkenny, the main bar is a horseshoe of high chairs and little nooks. But for me the front part of the bar as seen in this image, is the nicest. Check out Panoramic Ireland's Guide to Kilkenny for more to do and see in the Marble City.

Swan Bar, Dublin

Dublin's Swan Bar dates in its current form to the last years of the 1800s but a pub has been on this site on the corner of Dublin's York Street and Aungier Street for centuries from when the the road outside was one of the most important thoroughfares in Dublin. The Victorian layout and features remain and the bar even has 'colour TV mid-week' according to the sign above the bar. A fair mix of clientele including locals from the surrounding streets and flats, Dubliners and visitors.

JJ Bowles, Limerick

JJ Bowles has a storied history having been named after a former owner, one of Ireland's most famous handball players, and occupying a building on the river that dates to the 17th century it has been a pub since 1794 making it, according to some, Limerick's oldest pub. The beer garden has fine views of the Shannon and King John's Castle or on a cold, rainy winter's evening there are cosy spots by the fire to keep warm. JJ Bowles has also been voted to have Limerick's best pint of Guinness but I wouldn't know - I had Beamish and Treaty City's fine Harris Pale Ale. Next time...

Oarsman, Ringsend, Dublin

The Oarsman, above, is one of those fine Dublin pubs with the right mix of locals and visitors alike. Conversations flow around every subject matter and it would seem to be a dog friendly establishment.

The interior is wood and clocks, the Oarsman was built in 1816 and featured in James Joyce's Ulysses, when it was known as Tunney's; it sits directly opposite the unmissable Saint Patrick's Church on the edge of Dublin's River Dodder.

I stopped here on my way to photographing Slash at Dublin's 3Arena - formerly the Point.

The Oarsman serves a great pint of Guinness and the bar staff are friendly.