Can anyone recommend some really great pubs to go to in Dublin, Ireland. Interested in good food and music (and of course good beer). We have plans to go to The Temple Bar Pub, but would like some additional pubs to put on the list. Also, please advise if the pubs in Dublin are generally non-smoking. They are in London and I hope they are in Dublin as well. Thanks for your help.
George
The pubs in Ireland are not generally non-smoking, they are COMPLETELY non-smoking. Smoking in pubs has been illegal for years.
There are probably great pubs on any street corner. However, my practice is to ask locals, not fellow tourists.
That way you can discuss why they suggest certain pubs, or you can specifically ask for music.
Drop by the Brazen Head. It's just a little way up river from the Temple Bar area. It's definitely easy walking distance. The address is 20 Lower Bridge Street.
O'Donoghues! http://www.odonoghues.ie/ p.s. Like a fair number of Irish surnames, this one is pronounced differently in Eire than in the US. We say Don-a-hew (like Phil of talk show fame). They pronounce it dun-a-who (add the o out front too). Brazen Head is worth the visit as it has an interesting history, but don't be surprised if you are sitting around with a room full of other tourists.