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The N.
Ireland Guide to Pubs of Interest. |
| O'Hanlon's Bar
(a.k.a. The Bridge Bar), Mullaghbane. (028) 3088 8284/8759 400 years old and 17 generations of the same family. Traditional music. Ringed by a river walk. This is one of the "Famous Pubs Trail". The sign outside states "Failte go Teach an Droichid" OR "Welcome to the Bridge Bar" and the store is dated 1554. Full of local memorabilia. The owner, Bernard O'Hanlon, will make you more than welcome. |
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McConville's / The Mandeville Arms, 1 Mandeville Street, Portadown. (028) 3830 2070 An enduring, old Victorian pub with snugs and stained glass. A listed building that boasts the same batch of timbers that built the Titanic. It was named after the Duke of Mandeville and the licence goes back to 1856 but to the original premises a few yards up the street. The owners used to bottle their own Guinness, and McConville's Navy Rum was a popular drink. In fact there are several bottles still to be seen and tasted. |
| High ornamented ceiling, tiled & wood bar on a mosaic tiled floor. Large wooden bar back with barrel ends. Frosted glass windows. Double doors divide the bar length. One of the few remaining bars with intact snugs. These have small coloured glass panels and some of the bell push buttons still work. One snug has a side door. The gas mantle on the bar back still works as does the ornate cigar lighter. Sadly the five hand pumps are not functional now. Old style gents with black and white checkerboard tiling. An oak Domecq barrel rests upon scrolled brackets high on the wall. Large coloured glass pub sign on semi-circular ornamental hoop, internally lit. Beer garden at the rear with first floor patio and metal stairs dating back over a century. The two upper floors are unused now except as storage but sport a plethora of fireplaces of different vintages. An old cream AGA sits in the kitchen area on a tiled floor. There is an excellent model of the pub to be seen and it lights up. This is one pub not to be missed on your travels! | |
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West End Bar Portadown. (028) Typical town centre pub that has now practically disappeared. Plain black front with frosted glass windows. Wood and tiled bar, enormous bar back with barrel ends and a huge ornamental mirror. Mosaic tiled floor and ornamented ceiling. A lot of the snugs have been opened up and the front snug is used for storage, but two snug doors can still be seen. Tongue and groove seat backs. Long open back lounge for pool and music. Hot snacks (pies etc.). Worth seeking out. |
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Lyness's Bar |
| There is a PC internet link. When the lighting is right, look out for the shadowy figure and tell me if it is horned or hanged! The other lounge has a huge video screen. Modern layout but comfortable and relaxing. Friendly barstaff. There is an upstairs restaurant where you can enjoy special gourmet nights in comfort but with a different feel to most other restaurants. Worth hunting out. | |
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Wee Minnie's, 1 Wall Road, Gilford. (028) 3883 2361 Dating back over 100 years (formerly as P. Fox) it is situated at the river bridge. A well kept bar inside and out. The lounge is comfortable and well lit with a real fire and a wood floor which Barbara assures me is over 40 years old. The bar has coat hooks! The usual village memorabilia & photos. Music most nights. They have their own web site. |
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| The public bar is small & narrow with a good high bar counter and wooden ceiling. The original publican's name sign is on the wall. | |
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Montagu Arms |
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Cullen's, Tandragee. (028) Situated on the corner of the main Gilford road. Dark yet comfortable split level front lounge with real fire, large tile floor and open brick work. The back bar is neat with half height wood panelling and old wine/beer casks. Music at weekends. Look out for the old pharmacy penny scales and cabinet of old woodwork tools. It has the James Joyce Award plaque on being an authentic Irish pub. |
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Castle Tavern |
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The Lurgan Oriental, 41 High Street, Lurgan, BT66 8AH. (028) 3832 4088 Helen & Louis, best known from Belfast's "Summer Palace" have opened up a bigger establishment. The menu contains many of the old favourites. Although two floors, this place gets busy and there is always lots of the typical Chinese frenetic coming and going. Good food but book early. |
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OTHER PLACES TO CONSIDER The Corner House, Aghacommon |
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