Kennedy's Pub & Restaurant

We were promptly seated, but it was super busy and way too many people. Once the food was served, we didn't get checked on again. They were super busy with the after work crowd. We managed to get a table before the big rush of people. There was also gum on my daughter's chair, which we notified the staff about. Nothing was done about it. Food was edible. Linguine seafood pasta was overcooked and lacked flavour. Lamb burger was a bit over cooked, fries were nice hot and crispy. Wings average, but on the dry side. Atmosphere was ok not family friendly and there are better places you can eat at. Don't recommend it at all. I'm a little disappointed with the high reviews.

Quick service and simple, straightforward food. Everything we were looking for in a local pub. While a pint of Guinness is an obvious choice, the Irish coffee is a very popular choice and rightly so.

My first dinner in Dublin, so I’ve nothing to compare yet, but the service was great - staff was very friendly and attentive, and appeared exactly when I was ready for them at each point. Guinness was creamy and delightful, excellent fish & chips, yummy potato & leek soup as a starter. I was there at around 5 on a Wednesday evening so the atmosphere was chill in the dining area, no reservation needed.

We stopped at Kennedy for lunch. It was a bit before the lunch rush. We went to sit in the back and the waitress made us move to a different table. We chose to get up and sit in front because I wanted to look out the window and people watch. The waitress on that side was much nicer. We ordered our drinks and food. Soon the rush of people came in. The place was packed. Our drinks were delivered by the bartender. Soon after our food. Everything was good. Service and food.

Great place to meet up for Christmas drinks. The gingerbread man 50 metres away probably wins the most decorated Christmas pub in Dublin but Kennedy’s is up there with the best. Great Guinness great food and great craic.

We had the been and guiness stew. Really savory and delicious. Service was very good; attentive staff and very polite, pleasant. Fod was brought in a timely manner; prices were reasonable. The atmosphere was pretty good for lunchtime. It was not full, so you had space and time to eat without a rush. Reccomended.

A very Pub experience with very good food. We had the beef & Guinness Pie with a waffle/butterscotch and a warm apple & berry crumble for dessert.

Great experience of Pub & Restaurant to enjoy traditional dishes with drinks. The menu is not very extensive, nevertheless it has quite some options, and is good relation quality versus price. Highly recommended for a few pints, or to enjoy the full experience

All Street's St. Patrick's Day Dinner at Kennedy's Pub & Restaurant, Ireland Kennedy's Pub knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day the right way. We were lucky to have visited Kennedy's on this iconic holiday and all was right from start to finish. Kennedy's was decked out in Ireland's national colors, creating a festive and lively atmosphere, capturing the spirit of the Day. The pub was buzzing with laughter, and the hostess was able to find us a table and accommodate our large party - we were very appreciative of that. Football was playing on the tellies, and its patrons, a combination of locals and tourists were buzzing with the day's excitement. [For us, we got to see Kennedy High School's Shamrock Regiment play in the big parade!] Conveniently located right on Wesland Row, near Trinity College, Kennedy's Pub is easily accessible and a perfect spot to gather with friends and family. https://www.kennedyspub.ie/ Their menu offers a fantastic selection of traditional pub fare, and we couldn't resist indulging in some hearty Irish classics. From starters to desserts, there's something for everyone. We sampled the Tuna Melt on an open-faced with red onions and melted cheese, their Chicken Salad Sandwich piled high with fresh chicken salad on wheat, and the pièce de résistance - the Kennedy Burger. It was masterfully constructed with a whole egg, thick cheese, and bacon, all nestled between a soft hamburger on a brioche bun. And let's not forget about the fries - the thickest we've ever had, and oh so delicious! Of course, no St. Patrick's Day celebration would be complete without some Irish libations! We savored every sip of our Irish Coffee, Guinness, and Beamish Stout, perfectly complementing the festive atmosphere and hearty meal. Despite the bustling holiday crowd, we were able to secure a table and make use of the facilities, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout our visit. Like many places in Ireland, reservations are not really a 'thing', but make sure to have plenty of time when you arrive should it be packed. ASG's St. Patrick's Day celebration at Kennedy's Pub was an unforgettable experience. From the festive decorations to the delicious food and drinks, Kennedy's truly knows how to throw a party! If you find yourself in Dublin, don't miss the chance to experience the magic of Kennedy's Pub for yourself. Sláinte! Please check out allstreetsgourmand.com for more and our IG @allstreetsgourmand.

Decided to pop in after the receptionist at my hotel recommended this spot for lunch or dinner. I stopped by on my last Sunday in Dublin for a quick bite around 12:15pm. I was seated immediately as other guests continued to trickle in for lunch. By the time I finished up, the restaurant was packed which is certainly a good sign. I opted to go with a final Beef and Guinness Pie for my last sit-down meal in Dublin which turned out to be a great choice. The puff pastry on top was perfectly light and crispy, and the beef was super tender and seasoned to perfection. Of the different Beef and Guinness pies I tried on my trip, Kennedy's recipe was the most unique and included lots of fennel seeds. My waitress was super attentive and friendly, and the ambiance was warm and inviting - the perfect place to dine on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Would totally recommend.

Kennedy's in Dublin Ireland has history and many a beer and liquors to choose from! We stumbled upon this place on a tour of the city. Unfortunately, no time for a meal just a drink but the plates others had were full and looked very hardy! If you have a moment this is a place you won't want to miss!

Good pub off the beaten track. Food was good (Mexican wrap & Fish and chips) worth stopping in if you're in the area and looking to get away from the major crowds

Bustling and popular with a classic pub atmosphere. It's a good place to go to watch rugby. My Caesar salad thankfully wasn't drenched in too much dressing and was chocked full of lardon, Parmesan and croutons. More than was needed but you may like it that way. Nice place to hang.

Fun spot right near Trinity College. Service was great. The bartender told me Mrs Kennedy open this establishment as a grocery store in 1850 selling butter and flour. Eventually, she purchased a keg of Guinness and never looked back. Butter customers showed up weekly but Guinness customers were there everyday!

This gets 5 stars based on the history and vibe alone. The service was excellent and inviting. Had all of the great Irish beers on tap. Will be returning to this place in a couple of weeks when we return to Dublin.

Delicious. Good service. Great atmosphere - even during an Ireland rugby game. Would absolutely recommend - lots of locals enjoying a pint of Guinness.

This was the first place we stopped when in Dublin for lunch, or any type of food period. Atmosphere: Quite a large place, big bar area, and nice seating area by windows to people watch. The bathrooms are on the lower level if you are wondering. They weren't that clean, a lot of gum stuck around the ladies room (seems to be a problem in Ireland for some reason). The table we were sat at had pretty uncomfortable stools and the table was pretty wobbly and so was my chair. Service: The bartender/sever was really friendly and helpful and made a really good Bloody Mary. They had a nice bar selection - hard liquor, cider, beer, you name it they had it. Food: My husbands beef stew was tender, flavorful and he really enjoyed it. My lamb burger was pretty good but a little cool when delivered to the table and my chips/fries were seasoned well but not as crispy on the outside as I like. Overall it was a nice spot, and would be great for meeting up with a group of people for drinks and maybe some food.

My husband and I love this pub. We visited at least three times during our recent trip to Dublin. We had dinner and drinks here at least twice. The food was delicious and better than other pub food we ate during our three week trip to Dublin. I liked getting some vegetables with my dinner, instead of just chips/fries. I particularly recommend the stuffed pork cutlet. The clientele is a mixture of young people, middle-aged people, and seniors. The pub is next to Trinity College, so it draws a lot of students and office workers who were dressed up for a night out. No one was rowdy. The clientele also included seniors including some tourists such as us. There is a fair amount of seating inside and limited seating outside. The pub is popular, and once in a while it was hard to find a table. The service is very good. The pub is one block from the Davenport Hotel and the Alex Hotel. The Davenport Hotel recommended this restaurant as a good place for dinner. Kennedys has been in business since 1850. The author Oscar Wilde used to work here.

Kennedys is a great pub to first visit when getting to Dublin. The staff is friendly and there is a lot of space for diners. My husband loved the Irish coffee he ordered. The food is okay, we got the curry and a wrap. Definitely think getting a burger would have been the better route. But still a good stop!

Came on a recommendation from the proprietor at Sweny Phamacy across the street. Very, very good pub food. We all enjoyed our dishes, and the place had a great atmosphere to go with it's history as a gathering place for some of Dublin's famous writers. Service was a bit inattentive, especially towards the end of our meal, as we had to flag down a waitress several times. Nevertheless, a good lunch with all the Irish favorites. I had bangers and mash. It was hearty and more flavorful than what I've had previously. A good choice. Others also enjoyed their dishes: Irish stew, and a fried chicken sandwich. We'd definitely do this place again.

INCREDIBLE! We were lucky enough to have chosen Kennedy's as the location for our welcome party for our destination wedding from the States in July 2022. All of our 70 guests could literally not stop RAVING about the food, drinks, service, and venue hire space at Kennedy's! The staff could not have been kinder or more gracious. The chef made a buffet that all of our guests agreed was the best meal they had all trip (among stiff competition!) and the bartender pulled hundred of pints of Guinness and made probably even more espresso martinis for our jet lagged crowd at a record pace. Cannot recommend or thank Kennedy's enough!!!

Really enjoyed my experience here! Got an Irish coffee which was a little bitter but pretty good still! Got the soup of the day (sweet potato and chicken) and it was pretty good. Definitely needed more seasoning though. We also tried sweet potato fries which could have cooked a bit longer, but still good. Lastly we tried the chicken flatbread appetizer. It was good, filled with chicken and worth the price. Would definitely try something else/ new if I went again!

My first time in Dublin and what a great first meal. Fish & chips were on point. Pea purée was heavenly. Staff is friendly and welcoming.

We stopped in here because it was along our walk and had space for 7 so we didn't really plan on coming here but I'm so glad we did!! Everything was really good and fresh. I don't normally order burgers from restaurants because they are too big. I opted for the lamb burger and it was hands down in the top 3 meals I had in Ireland. Everyone else's meals were delicious as well. The servers and staff were all very nice too!

Arrived into Dublin that morning and we hsd to wait on our hotel room to be ready. We walked around killing time but stopped at Kennedy's for a bite to eat. They had just opened. We both ordered Irish coffee, which was very go good and we shared their fish & chips. I loved their fish & chips. The fish was fried to perfection and very fresh. I haven't had mushy peas since 2013 when I was in London last. Yum! Service was very prompt. The atmosphere at Kennedy's was nice. We picked a great place for our first meal and drink in Dublin.

I really wish it was better. I had the vegetable soup which was more like a puree' or thick gravy. I expected a broth with cut up veggies or maybe a veggie stew but not thick creamy stuff.... i also had the flatbread which is not really a flatbread it comes on thick bread that is flattened but was totally soggy and mushy, not good flavors at all.

Kennedy's is great for some Friday lunchtime pub grub, but may I suggest you go for the curry fries on batch? It's the absolute best thing on the menu. I visited with a Kennedy's veteran who knows his pubs and pub food and he wisely steered away from the steak in favour of the CC. I forked out twice as much as him and opted for the steak. Needless to say I was begging him for morsels of his scrummy meal, while my steak was really very ordinary and only got eaten because it was 'there'. So food-wise, that's the deal. Drinks-wise, the Guinness is good. That's all you need to know, isn't it? Also, if you happen to be at Kennedy's when it's not packed, take the time to check out the pictures on the walls. There's some interesting ones there alright. I like the black and white one with the two businessmen having a meeting. It's very cool. There's also a really cool map of Dublin in the 1700s. Love that stuff! Also look out for the old price card featuring arrowroot biscuits and flour and the like. It's very kitsch - you'll find that above the bar.

I'd not been back to Kennedy's in a while and it seems in the intervening time Kennedy's has embraced the craft beer revolution. Fantastic. We were here to meet friends taking part in a charity table quiz, which was going on when we arrived. Two craft ciders in hand, we waited for the quiz to finish by an open window, a wonderful cool breeze was coming in through it. The décor is dark wood and a lot of panelling, your classic Dublin pub. There was a great atmosphere to the place. The cider was Craggies, a nice dry-ish cider. By the time we moved to the back bar post quiz, I spotted the rebel Stonewell cider, both the dry and medium flavours. Over the rest of the night we cleaned their fridge out of it - oops I also spotted Sierra Nevada on tap, which is also another favourite of mine. Kennedys, I'll be back. Keep the seat warm and the beer cold for me!

Part of the allure of Kennedys is that it is situated away from the city centre's core but close enough so that it is convenient to go to. Right behind Trinity College, it attracts a lot of students and trend setters. It looks like a traditional pub from the outside, but inside it has a more modern feel. It's great to go to during the afternoon with one or two friends and also fun in the evening with a larger group. Because it's open late (until 2:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays), a lot of clubbers will come here to continue the dance-off. On the weekends, they'll open the bar downstairs and DJs will keep the party going all night long. Great fun!

The food was Good, our drinks were great, and the servers today were superb! We had a special order and they Cooked it for us perfectly. It was very fast and efficient but the food tasted just as good as many restaurants that take longer in the area.

I came here for the Yes Festival after party, so I am sure my experience here is different than the normal one. Judging by the other reviews, this place can be a good time but is generally pretty relaxed? Well, when I was there it was pretty bumping! Since there was a flood of festival-goers fresh from the party and eager to continue the fun, there was lots of pushing and shoving in the huge unruly line out front. Didn't like that one bit, but once we got inside things were much nicer. I didn't even venture upstairs much, because downstairs was much more happening. Upstairs it seemed like there was kind of an older crowd, early to mid 30s-ish. Downstairs there is a small dance floor and a nice bar that has the normal selection of beers. Along the walls are nice, low seating areas where people were just crashed out talking. Lots of friendly folks here I found, and I made some great new (temporary) friends. It was lively until things shut down at 3.

Kennedy's is one of those pubs you go to meet people but rarely stay for more than a few pints. Unless of course you're going into the basement(the underground) for a gig. In which case, given the type of gigs they put on there, you're in for the long haul. It's a quiet pub for quiet nights or a handy spot to meet up, and for that much it's good. But if you go expecting more you'll only be disappointed.

Had lunch there in a business trip to Dublin with two other friends. It was our first time in Dublin and the food was actually beyond our expectation! The Beef & Guinness Pie was delicious! The Guinness marinated need was a delicacy. The Kennedy's Bangers & Mash was not very impressive though. Overall, it was a good experience.

Busy pub.  Loads of friendly people.  The barmen were not attentive, but friendly enough.  Love all the old decorations and old city charm. No outside seating which I could find.  Ping pong and game room downstairs.

Came here on our first night in Dublin. It was a stone's throw away from our hotel but turned out to be a perfect choice! Everyone was pleased with their meals - the fish and chips were HUGE, calamari, a burger, and salad. Service was kind a quick, and there was music to boot! Great atmosphere. Can definitely get loud so not the spot for quiet conversations!

Went for lunch yesterday with a group from work - there were nine of us in total and we hadn't booked but they gave us a table straight away. That's where the positives end I'm afraid. Everyone ordered sandwiches with most people getting chips on the side (this is offered on the menu). We were kept waiting 40 minutes and asked the waitress a few times about the delay. She seemed very busy but wasn't very apologetic. Our order came eventually, we were actually on the verge of leaving at that stage - everyone was starving and grumpy by then. I had ordered the corned beef sandwich which I asked for on brown bread but it came on white. It was too late then to sebd it back as we needed to get back to the office. The meat was nice but there wasn't much and it was literally just thrown between the bread. Chips were okay, could have been warmer. It cost €8.50 which woukd have been okay if the sandwich had a more substantial filling. Nobody else was very impressed - one of the tuna melts ordered was cold in the middle (we didn't pay for that) and a veggie wrap came without the mozzarella mentioned on the menu and with soggy fried lettuce as one of the ingredients. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience and we won't be going back.

Exceptional Irish pub near Trinity College. The IPA battered Haddock and Chips. We also had the Smoked Seafood Chowder. Both were delicious and perfectly prepared. We parked the Orchard Thieves Cider with the chowder and Guinness with the Haddock.

Way better than expected! Ordered fish and loved it. Salad with olives and beer is a must. Loved the experience.

Nice place just across the street from the Davenport hotel. Lots of tables and seats at the bar. The Irish stew was very good. The wife enjoyed the salmon. Lots of beers on tap and a full bar as well. They had live music which tonight was not too great. But other than the less than stellar singing the place was nice.

As a pub Kennedy's is somewhat lacking in atmosphere. As a spot to eat though, it's top notch. I've had great beef and Guinness stew here, and some really juicy sausages on lovely creamy mash. And as you're snug in a corner, tucking into a nice meal with a glass of red from the reasonable wine list, the fact that there aren't a mass of people swilling beer or yelling at rugby on a big screen starts to become a plus. The staff are sharp, the chairs are comfy and there's something on the menu to please most people. It's a pretty good spot to meet people for a bite before going out, as it's just up from Pearse Station and handy for the city or Temple Bar.

Kennedy's has a special place in my heart and always will, mostly for The Underground club in the basement. I have had a countless number of amazing nights in that place thanks to some of Dublin's best promoters bringing over deadly DJs over the last 5 or so years. I will always walk through the door of Kennedy's with a smile on my face. Things have gone quiet there the last while on the gig front and I haven't visited as often as I used to (I must add, I much preferred The Underground before they did it up 2 or 3 years ago but I still love it as venue). I did pop in last night to meet some friends for a quick drink and bite of food. Being honest, I think this is where it let's itself down. The food isn't great. It won't deter me from going because for me it is primarily a drinking spot or a gig venue but it is a little disappointing. I had a ham and cheese sandwich which sounded a lot more grand on the menu than as it appeared. The bread wasn't completely fresh. One of my friends had a BLT which he agreed suffered the same fate. My other companion had a portion of curry chips which did the job nicely. The Pinot Grigio I had wasn't bad at all and it is always reliable for a decent Guinness. The large windows and the proximity to Pearse St DART station make it a good spot for people watching too.

It's nice to read other peoples reviews before I do my own, though how does a place with dodgy bread get a 5? I happened to walk in here looking for a quick bite before an appointment (my usual haunt around the corner had closed it's kitchen for the night) Looking at the menu outside I saw they offered a 100% Irish beef burger - no mention of weight - on a floury bap for €10 with the option of adding one of 3 types of toppings for €1 extra. This sounded like 'If you don't buy the toppings, it will just be a burger in a bun' I wasn't wrong. I ordered with the cheese (it shrank in the wash) and bacon. All in all the burger - which wasn't small/wasn't big- with a decent portion of (meh) chips cost me €11. Well as I sat there I thought to myself that somebody should send the chef and the manager around the corner (or two) to The Porterhouse Central and show them what to give to someone when they order a €11 burger - yes, yes, I may be spoilt by The Porterhouse, but if they can do it..... Anyway, the server was nice. The Heineken was €5 which is ok I suppose. The atmosphere was good for people watching, it wasn't too busy - but it was 6pm on a Monday night. So good for a quite drink but the food isn't worth it.

You can pop into Kennedy's for a quiet pint, a bit of chat and a bit of craic and enjoy the atmosphere of a decent no-frills pub. It's large enough that you're likely to get a table unless you do something foolish like rocking up at 10pm on a Friday night. Although Kennedy's appears to be a regular pint and peanuts pub, it actually has a dark side brimming below where you can catch some fairly innovative and funky chunes for just €5. I saw my mate, one half of an awesome rap duo (yes, awesome IRISH rap duo), play in Kennedy's basement once and my whole perception of the place changed. From dusty to dynamic in one night! The atmosphere was rocking (or rapping?) and the place was hopping. And, if it all gets too much for you on a club night, you can always slip back upstairs for the comfort of a pint and some peanuts.

Visited here again with a group of 9 for lunch. Everyone ordered sandwiches with chips. We were waiting approx 40 minutes for our food and the quality was not good. My chips had been cooked in the same oil as the battered fish of the day. One of the group got a veggie wrap and it was awful...It contained what resembled fried lettuce. Three of the group got tuna melts and they were cold. I will nit be back.

Kennedy's of Westland Row would be a a pub in a similar vein to either Peader Kearney's or McGruder's: a regular pub most of the time that occasionally morphs into a banging house spot. The normal part of Kennedy's is the ground floor: fairly common or garden pub, nice enough but nothing special. It's a popular after-work spot, so it's mainly a 25ish age group, but it's not prohibitive towards people under 21 or anything. And Kennedy's is very close to where all the coach tours disgorge on Nassau Street, so there's always a good few tourists inside, but not in a high enough proportion to put you off the place. So Kennedy's as a pub is perfectly pleasant. Downstairs, though, is where all the madness occurs. I think having club nights in Kennedy's is a fairly recent innovation, but an ingenious innovation is it as Thursday's in Kennedy's are pumpin'. A very reasonable €5 admission charge, and you're into one of the best funky house nights in Dublin. And it's seconds away from Pearse Station, so get the last Dart into town next Thursday, pay your five spots in downstairs and have a wild one.

When the clock strikes midnight on a Friday and hardcore clubbers have taken over Kennedy's basement, you're guaranteed a mad party. It's one of the few real dance-clubs in town. No doubt. A huge hit among the party-crowd, this small and dark basement setting (the upper floor is more spacey but usually less fun) sees some of the craziest club-DJ parties in Dublin every weekend, with trendy-dressed bartenders forking out shots and alcoholic beverages to all the late-night souls. This is a place I can always rely on for a good Friday-night binge, even though I don't have a clue who'll be spinning the records that night. You have to pay in, which sucks, but you'll get your money's worth on the dance-floor. So leave your high-heals at home and come dance, dance, dance...

Great location & busy pub but don't bother eating here! Ive eaten here before and its been a decent standard. Recently visited on a weeknight and I the salmon. It came out 5 minutes after I ordered, luke warm thrown on a pile of overcooked peppers and tasted very fishy as if it was not fresh. When the waitress eventually came to take the plates away and we pointed this out she said the fish is fresh and continued to charge the €15 for it. Very poor customer service (reminds me of Dublin ten years ago!) and I certainly will not be eating there again after this experience.

Kennedy's is a popular hangout with Trinity Students as it's on their back doorstep. It is also popular with local professionals. It's a darklit and comfortable boozer with lots going on everyday. I can recommend dropping by on a Friday as they lay on that traditional post work staple of free cocktail sausages! So for good pints, conversation and free grub check it out. They also have regular late dancing downstairs - good deal...

It was great to find a good selection of craft beers on draught. The place was busy, especially because IRFU was on the telly. Had a great time with the locals.

I have extensively tried the menu as I go here about twice/three times a week. Solid service even during v.busy lunch periods. Recommend the special on a Friday i.e the lasagne, one of the best in town. Also try the New York burger, pulled pork burger & bangers and mash...can't go too wrong with the majority of the menu. Not a fan of the chunky chips that come with the burgers, sometimes undercooked. Good selection of craft beers. Guinness 7/10

Unusual to see someone giving a poor rating to a pub because of food but each to his own. Kennedys is a proper pub with a good beer selection and friendly efficient staff. The menu is a lot more adventurous than most bars in the city but food is rarely the reason I go to a pub. If you want a good pint, served by proper barmen in an ambient surrounding the Kennedys is your spot.

Kennedy's is a great place to meet friends for lunch. I really enjoy this place as I go a few times a month. I think their BLT is the best food on the Menu however most of their warm lunches are amazing. They bar has a lot of character as they serve you water pitchers for the table using massive absolute vodka bottles. My ONLY reason i had to knock off a star is due to how long it takes to get your food on a busy day and their soups/ small sandwiches are not good. The soups are always disappointing and their sandwiches tend to be really dry. With that said, on a normal day the service is great and the rest of the menu is amazing.

Great place for lunch in D2. Food is fresh and tasty and service is second to none. If you need a quick bite or a relaxed atmosphere this is the place to be.

Very studenty hangout with the occasional good band downstairs. Parts of this pub can be rented out for birthdays/group parties and this function is often availed by the studenty types. Prices are average and the staff is friendly. They also do some pub grub during the day - the soup used to be great value, sure it still is.

had lunch here, it was very good, nice Dublin pub-- atmosphere was great. we enjoyed our lunch.

First day in town, Kennedy's recommended by the bus driver. I was thinking about ordering something else, but decided to ask the waitress for recommendation. She mentioned the lamb burger was a specialty, so why not! Now let me start by saying i do not score 10's as there is always room for improvement, well, until this evening! Bun was perfect, soft and good flavor. Patty of ground lamb was very nice size, cooked perfectly. Under the patty, some goat cheese, on top some mint leaves and some sort of sweet relish or spread of some sort. 10, a solid 10, best specialty burger I have had. Chips were very good, large serving. Great selection of beer and the staff was top notch. Great evening. Thanks!

This is my favorite pub in Dublin because it has it all: great beer and wine menu; excellent food, especially for a pub; outstanding service; and interesting Irish history to beat the band.