Nestling in an attractive wooded hamlet in the Dublin Mountains, south of Dublin city, this popular pub dates back to the eighteenth century and has numerous claims to fame, including the fact that Daniel O'Connell was once a regular, apparently, and it's "undoubtedly" the highest pub in the land.
A warm, friendly and generally well run place, it's just about equally famous for its food at the "Famous Seafood Kitchen" - which can be enjoyable - and its music "Famous Hooley Nights" (booking advisable).
Unlike so many superficially similar pubs, it's also real. Kitsch, perhaps, but the rickety old furniture is real, the dust is real and there is a turf or log fire at every turn. It's a pleasant place to drop into at quieter times too, if you're walking in the hills or just loafing around, but its most useful function is that Dubliners find it an amusing place to take visitors from abroad.
Recommended as an unusual outing rather than a meal out, but reservations are recommended if you wish to eat.
Seats 352 (private room, 55, outdoor 60); children welcome (under supervision, not after 7.30pm). Traditional Irish music and dancing. Reservations recommended for food. Own parking. Open daily, full hot menu Mon-Thurs, 12.30-2.30 & 5.30-9pm; soup/snacks available 2.30pm-5pm. Full menu Fri-Sun, 12.30-9.30; all menus à la carte, house wine €19.50. No SC. Closed 24-25 Dec & Good Fri. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
