O'Donoghue's

Eric Michaud★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

This place can be a hidden gem and your favourite stop in Dublin or may just seem like a crowded old bar. For us it was a great little stop to see the history, listen to some live music and have a Guinness. It is small main bar but also a back bar and outdoor patio, it is old (1700’s originally), and just a neat little place. It was also on 5min walk from hotel which was convenient. Note there is limited seating which may turn off some people, it is crowded, it is old.

ian marsden★★★★★★★★★★5.02 months ago

Walked into this bar after a day out in Dublin, only to find ourselves joining a table a table of Spanish and Irish patrons. After a few minutes of conversation we realised that these particular people had some racist views and while we tried to diplomatically converse with them, they continued to portray mean and aggressive slurs. The staff were quick to acknowledge this and promptly escorted them out of the pub. We were proud of the staffs actions and will return to such a welcoming and inclusive venue. I won’t repeat what they said but am happy that there is still some good in this world

Brendan Murphy★★★★★★★★★★4.02 weeks ago

It's a hit or miss how busy it's going to be, and it is also pot luck if there will be musicians playing , how many will be playing, how good they are, and if you will be lucky enough to get a seat. Moving from one area to another is a bit tight when it is busy. When I was over from Scotland last week, I went in on the Friday evening....there were three or 4 singers /musicians they sang and played a few tunes in the cornerof the bar, but there were long gaps between each song/tune, and it was difficult to listen if you were anywhere else in the bar, other than standing right next to them. The time that I was in on a previous visit the music was fantastic, songs, stories & traditional Irish music.....this was in the little courtyard area. I really love the pub though, and the history of the place, the characters who drank there back in the day, such as The Dubliners, who went on to become famous world wide. The bar staff were good, and they served the customers very efficiently during a busy Friday evening. The O'Donaghue's Polo Shirt that I wanted to buy was out of stock....but I'll be back to pick one up next time.

Nic Cravillion★★★★★★★★★★5.06 months ago

O’Donoghues Bar became my favorite pub in Dublin and a clear highlight of my “Dublin Pub Crawl” list. We almost skipped it after wandering into the other O’Donoghues on Suffolk Street, but a friend we met on the trip pointed us to the Merrion Row location, and that changed everything. The atmosphere here is exactly what you hope to find when you picture a traditional Irish pub. Shoulder to shoulder at times, but never in a bad way. It is that classic controlled chaos that only the great pubs seem to pull off. The trad music was some of the best we saw anywhere in Ireland. Not just background noise, but real musicians playing with energy and skill. You could stand there with a pint and listen for hours without ever getting bored. It is everything you want from a Dublin music session. Despite how busy this place gets, the bartenders are absolute professionals. Nonstop movement, perfect pints, and somehow they always keep track of who is next. The service was excellent every time, and they set the tone for the entire place. I could tell this is a pub that takes pride in what it does. The layout is tight, loud, and full of life. We squeezed our way to the bar, settled in with a pint and I immediately felt genuinely happy, like this is exactly what I expected Ireland to be. It is that classic Irish pub energy that tourists go looking for and locals appreciate because it has never turned into a gimmick. It feels genuine from top to bottom. I spent most of my time in the bar where the musicians were playing, but O’Donoghues has several different rooms and areas to explore. Each space has its own feel, whether you want to stay close to the music or step into a quieter spot. It all works together to create the full O’Donoghues experience. Overall, O’Donoghues on Merrion Row is a must visit. Not just a stop on a pub crawl, but a place you could spend an entire night and be completely satisfied. Between the music, the atmosphere and the top tier service, this was the pub that set the standard for every other stop on the list. If you want the real Dublin pub experience, this is the one.

Anna Newlan★★★★★★★★★★5.05 months ago

Very well known small Irish pub full of history and bygone stories of the famous that have propped up the bar. Only thing letting it down were the toilets which definitely need more than tlc! 🤢