I wouldn’t be telling any secrets if I said that the Irish do enjoy a drink from time to time. Pubs are very much a part of the nation’s culture, from the smallest town to the capital city of Dublin. On our most recent trip, I decided to delve a little more deeply into the pub scene. What I was after were real, traditional pubs. And I also wanted to find those places where one might get a good meal. Here are the pubs in Dublin I most liked.

The Duke

A Dublin mainstay since 1822, this congenial spot takes its name from the small byway named for the second Duke of Grafton. With a welcoming interior and long bar, this is an ideal spot to sit and engage other guests in conversation. Look for such dishes as a fine fish pie and rich Irish stew. The Duke serves as the starting point for the well-known Dublin Literary Pub Crawl every night at 7:30 from April to October, and Thursday to Sunday nights from November to March.

The Duke
8 & 9 Duke Street