Get to know Johnny Fox’s pub

Located in Glencullen, co Dublin it is one of the most famous pubs in the Dublin area – and it definitely lives up to its reputation

Known as the highest pub in Ireland, Johnny Fox’s is located in Dublin mountains, about a half an hour’s drive from the city. But don’t let the distance put you off – visiting this place is an absolute must even if you have to walk all the way to it!

Johnny Fox’s is not just a pub – it’s a pub, a restaurant, a live music venue, a museum and a comedy show all under the one roof! It is the sheer abundance of detail that is amazing about the place. You can spend literally hours walking around the pub, studying the various objects and reading messages that were left here by various guests, which include politicians from all over the world, famous musicians, actors and sports stars.

For example, in one corner you may see a beautiful stuffed fox, in another – a collection of 18th century pistols – and a little bit further on you find an extremely lovely fireplace with a collection of porcelain dolls around it. Just beside the front door there is a basket with blankets… for smokers who go outside to have a cigarette. And beside the bar there is a statue of a customer who seems like he went in for a pint and never left.

Exploring the place is really funny as you always stumble upon little plaques with Irish saying such as “Hard work never hurt anyone, but why take the chance?” or “I don’t wear glasses, I empty them”.

If it is food you want there is a variety of menus with such local favourites as Irish stew, Dublin coddle and sea food chowder (there are also Italian and other European dishes). The bar has live shows of Irish music and dance every night.

And outside of Johnny Fox’s is another museum with many vintage cars and old agricultural equipment as well as some quaint and funny artefacts like “the weather stone” (see it for yourself!).

The pub is open from 11 am to 11:30 pm (00:30 on Saturdays). Live music starts at 9:30 pm every day (Sundays from 6:30 pm). There is also another live show on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

You can get to the pub by an Express Bus which leaves from Dublin City Centre daily (return ticket – €10). Call: 01 – 8 22 11 22 or log on to www.expressbus.ie. E-mail: [email protected]

SEDA’s hill walking tours in Dublin mountains often end up in Johnny Fox’s pub, so come along if you’d like to see the place and enjoy the nature around Dublin mountains.

Originally published in SEDA News