Dublin Pub Life and Lore – An Oral History of Dublin's Traditional Irish Pubs

Dublin is renowned for its amazing profusion of pubs and for its exuberant pub culture. In Dublin Pub Life and Lore, Professor Kevin Kearns examines the history of this phenomenon by speaking to old publicans, barmen and regular customers, relating the story of Dublin pubs and their patrons in an engaging and entertaining fashion.

Traditionally in Ireland, the public house or 'pub' was the centre of a community's social life and a social institution ranking second in importance only to the parish church. Pubs ranged from dusky watering holes frequented by labourers, dockers and shawlies to elegant Victorian gin palaces where the gentry and literati gathered. Along the Dublin quays there were dives filled with scoundrels, prostitutes and misfits of every sort.

Following the success of his bestselling classic Dublin Tenement Life, Kevin Kearns has researched and created a wonderful oral historical chronicle of Dublin's pub life. Based on conversations with old publicans, pub 'regulars' and long-serving barmen, Dublin Pub Life and Lore captures the folklore, customs, characters and wit of the traditional Dublin public house.

Dublin Pub Life and Lore: Table of Contents

Introduction

– History and Evolution of Dublin Public Houses

Origins and Uses of Alcohol

A City of Taverns and Alehouses

Dublin's Colourful Public Houses

Drinking Customs of the Social Classes

Disreputable Drinking Dens

Proud and Prosperous Publicans

Dublin Temperance Movement

Government Inquiry into Intemperance and the Role of Public Houses

Oral History and Pub Lore

– Dublin Pub Culture and Social Life

The Pub as a Living Social Institution

The Publican's Role and Status

Pub Regulars and Their Local

Porters, Apprentices and Barmen

Pubs as IRA Meeting Places

Women on the «Holy Ground»

The Pintman and His Pint

Pub Customs and Traditions

Pub Entertainment

Singing Pubs

Literary Pubs

Notable Pub Characters

Eccentric Publicans and Notorious Pubs

Underworld of Shebeens, Kips and Speakeasies

Famous Barmen's Strikes

Transformation and Desecration of Venerable Pubs

– Oral Testimony of Publicans and Barmen

– Oral Testimony of Pub Regulars and Observers