There are few pubs as internationally known as the Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland. It sits gracefully on a cobblestone street corner, where its patrons range from a few locals to many overeager tourists. For many, the Temple Bar is the first insight into Irish pub culture that many experience. The problem is that it’s become a corporate-esque style company with its branded image as the must-see Irish pub experience in all of the land. They have even bought up the space next door to the pub to put in a tourist shop called the Temple Bar Trading Company.
While many aspects of the pub’s appearance are still legitimate, like many truths in this world, the truth is evident within the details. A true country Irish pub experience like most wish to have, and like many believe their receiving at the Temple, is about the public (ex. pub = public house), socializing and good craic. Real Irish pubs don’t brand themselves on t-shirts and don’t sell themselves out on merchandised products. By all means, this is the way of the world, taking advantage of every fiscally-possible avenue, so I’m not attacking the Temple for doing so. But if you’re looking for a 100% true authentic experience, I would look elsewhere than the Temple Bar.
While many aspects of the pub’s appearance are still legitimate, like many truths in this world, the truth is evident within the details. A true country Irish pub experience like most wish to have, and like many believe their receiving at the Temple, is about the public (ex. pub = public house), socializing and good craic. Real Irish pubs don’t brand themselves on t-shirts and don’t sell themselves out on merchandised products. By all means, this is the way of the world, taking advantage of every fiscally-possible avenue, so I’m not attacking the Temple for doing so. But if you’re looking for a 100% true authentic experience, I would look elsewhere than the Temple Bar.
There are a few other details to note, like the fact that most true Irish pubs don’t even have music playing in the background, unless it’s a live artist performing, and even then it’s typically on a whim. Additionally, the prices at the Temple Bar are extremely inflated to that of most pubs around Ireland and even in the entirety of the UK. It had cost me near €6 for a pint (almost $8 USD) and in other parts of Ireland it was typical for me to come away from the bar with a pint for under €3.50 ($4.50). The walls of the pub were covered in photographs and historic nicknacks, which is relatively common of many true Irish pubs. However, again, if you take a look at the details, in between and carefully set right above eye view were branded merchandise pieces that were either for sale at the bar or available next door at their tourist-trap store.
My final thoughts on the Temple is that the pub is still an interesting piece of Irish history, as it has kept mostly to its original appearance - plus, you can still get all liquored and boozed up there like any other bar. I did have a fun time (once I realized this wasn’t what I had expected) with my buddies that chilly night in early April, especially with the other surrounding shops and watering holes set nearby in the ‘Dublin cultural quarter.’ The Temple Bar can be a fine time for a night out, but if you’re in search for a unique and authentic experience of the Irish pub culture, I suggest skipping the Temple and heading to the endless villages hidden in the countryside.
(Photos by © Brandon Elijah Scott / Eye & Pen)
My final thoughts on the Temple is that the pub is still an interesting piece of Irish history, as it has kept mostly to its original appearance - plus, you can still get all liquored and boozed up there like any other bar. I did have a fun time (once I realized this wasn’t what I had expected) with my buddies that chilly night in early April, especially with the other surrounding shops and watering holes set nearby in the ‘Dublin cultural quarter.’ The Temple Bar can be a fine time for a night out, but if you’re in search for a unique and authentic experience of the Irish pub culture, I suggest skipping the Temple and heading to the endless villages hidden in the countryside.
(Photos by © Brandon Elijah Scott / Eye & Pen)
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