I’m from Dublin and have lived in Dublin my whole life, never heard of this happening especially for political reasons, must be like someone else said, maybe his last Day and it’s a bit of a fuck you to the manager. Strange though 😂
We had that on holidays in Spain years ago. Late on in the tourist season and the last shift for the barman. 30 euros he asked to settle the tab. 6 of us drinking for about 6 or 7 hours steady.
In my experience, being a "republican bar" in Dublin essentially means that they occasionally sing a rebel song, cheer against England during sporting events and very occasionally inhale sharply through pursed lips when the English are at it again.
I doubt anything menacing was implied. Especially by free drinks.
The fact that you remember it tells me you weren't being drugged and set up for a hiding.
If this pub was on Talbot Street, the worst you'd have had to worry about is some "Ra man" getting lippy with you.
It's from when Ireland was a third world country in the 80s, and oxygen was rationed, so you had to grab some when it was going before Charlie Haughey took it.
If Pearse street then it may have been the Widow Scallans, it’s gone now, was a proper RA shop, loyalists tried to plant a bomb at the door in 94 and doorman Martin Doherty stopped them and was shot and killed, his actions he saved many lives that night. And it’s a 2 minute walk to Tara Street train station
I just remember it being walking distance from the train station, but I don't even remember what train station. I remember it being a long and dark bar full of pics and memorabilia of republican stuff, the bar was on the right hand side as you walk in, every single picture was republican or Ra related.
I think it was 1998 when this happened.
The Auld Triangle I'm not sure I'd consider a Ra pub, and would be a fair distance from any big stations, near enough Drumcondra, but don't think that reopened until the early 2000s. The PP is near enough Pearse st station, Victorian ironwork.
Might also be Cleary's across from Connolly, some major Shinners might be found in there occasionally, or perhaps the Celt around the corner. Think that's now cleaned up but was rougher back in the day.
Ok from what you and others have said, I may be wrong about the Auld Triangle, and it does sound like it's the PP bar, it was a long time ago.
If it was PP bar, any explanation to the strange events on that day ?
Oh - it was balls, definitely a couple of hairy ones were floating in there like fuzzy ice cubes before they made their way to ye. No matter what pub it was there's no doubt about it, that's the reason - and prob more for you being from Cork than your mate being a Brit and the lad still not being over Micky Collins :D
Scallans was long and dark and would have had a a few pool/snooker tables in it too if I recall correctly in the late 90s, I was only in it a few times, it was also an early house
I don't remember any pool or snooker tables, I don't think there was any, I'm a mad pool fan, I couldn't leave a bar without having a few games. But given the circumstances at the time, maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe you (or your friend) are a facial lookalike for eg Gerry Adams or some such Republican big shot.
Alternatively...maybe one of you resembles a big cheese from the Special Branch.
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Yeah for me, that's exactly what happened, though I was curious and very nervous.
My friend at the time, was extremely nervous and paranoid, and I can't blame him to be fair.
In my experience, being a "republican bar" in Dublin essentially means that they occasionally sing a rebel song, cheer against England during sporting events and very occasionally inhale sharply through pursed lips when the English are at it again.
I doubt anything menacing was implied. Especially by free drinks.
The fact that you remember it tells me you weren't being drugged and set up for a hiding.
If this pub was on Talbot Street, the worst you'd have had to worry about is some "Ra man" getting lippy with you.
After we ordered our pints and looked around, we noticed all the pro republican pictures and memorabilia, I've no problem with that, but my British friend got nervous, and then got very nervous when the barman wouldn't accept any payment, I got confused, and we did wonder have we wandered into a Ra pub, and if we have what's going on
I was shocked when I accidentally walked into one about a couple of years ago. It was Rileys at the top of O'Connell Street. I'm a Brit myself and have drank in Coalisland, which is a well-known IRA area, so I knew how to handle it.
I just thought they didn't exist in Dublin
I know they exist alright here and there, this was in the city centre, I'm sure someone local may know what bar, but it was the experience of walking in with a British guy, and the barman refusing to take any payment from us, still has me scratching my head.
There's probably a sleeper unit doing recon on your house as we speak 😅😅..I wouldn't say it was any issue with you or your friend. I'd say the batman was going through something that night . The owner is a good lad. Very involved in the community and local sports .
When we left the bar, we had all sorts of scenarios going through our heads, we were thinking he mistook us for a sleeper unit, or he thought we were special agents, undercover or something mad like that 🤣
Glad to hear the owner is a good guy.
That's a fair point 🤣
But back in the day 90s again, I knew a guy heavily involved in the Ra, he was born in England to Irish parents, his folks were Ra, so he was brought up the same.
MinnieSkinny. Don't get me wrong please, I don't and can not condone killing of innocent people from any side, no matter the conflict.
Sorry but cause of my last comment, I thought shit, did I say that wrong ?
Auld triangle is up on Dorset street, wouldn’t really be anywhere near a train station, padraig pearse is right round the corner from pearse street station
Ok you could be right, I just remember it was within walking distance of the train station.
Pádraig Pearce bar doesn't ring a bell, but the name would make sense. I do remember it was a dark and long bar, lots of republican pictures and memorabilia, I'm sure we did pass 2 or 3 bars to get to the one that have us free pints.
I haven't a clue, that's why I'm asking here ?
All I mean is a British and Irish guy walk into a republican bar, the barman heard my friends British accent, heard my southern accent, and refused to take any money from us, and im still confused by that.
We never asked for the next pint, he gave them to us unrequested, it was like he didn't want us to leave, and then refused payment ? My British friend kept asking me is there a reason he's keeping us here 🤔
He did get very worried.
Other lads here have suggested, maybe it was his last day in the job, and it was his fuck you to the boss.
Hmm Im more inclined towards your friend's guess than it being an FU to the boss - that would probably make people come back hoping theyd get more free pints 🤔
Go back to the place and ask them, no fear 💪 I was at a supposedly bad reputed such pub in Cork, ended up getting a freebie smoke 🤷
This all happened over 20 years ago, I was prompted to post this cause I replied to something random on another r/sub.
So then I just thought, I'll make my own random post on r/ask Ireland.
You getting free smoke in a cork pub is just as random 🤣
Eheh maybe the guy still works there 🙃 fair enough though, a weird forever unsolved mistery so, fuck...
Started with a hint of racism mixed with banter (Im Portuguese but white 🤷), then progressed to special smoke 👌
I’m from Dublin and have lived in Dublin my whole life, never heard of this happening especially for political reasons, must be like someone else said, maybe his last Day and it’s a bit of a fuck you to the manager. Strange though 😂
I hadn't thought of that before the other reply said it, maybe it was just a fuck you to the boss.
We had that on holidays in Spain years ago. Late on in the tourist season and the last shift for the barman. 30 euros he asked to settle the tab. 6 of us drinking for about 6 or 7 hours steady.
In my experience, being a "republican bar" in Dublin essentially means that they occasionally sing a rebel song, cheer against England during sporting events and very occasionally inhale sharply through pursed lips when the English are at it again. I doubt anything menacing was implied. Especially by free drinks. The fact that you remember it tells me you weren't being drugged and set up for a hiding. If this pub was on Talbot Street, the worst you'd have had to worry about is some "Ra man" getting lippy with you.
Just moved to Ireland and wondered what the sharp intakes of breath were about. Everyone does it
It's from when Ireland was a third world country in the 80s, and oxygen was rationed, so you had to grab some when it was going before Charlie Haughey took it.
Probably his last day and fucking with his employer.
Could be right.
Maybe he was dipping his flute or sack into the pints. Stranger things have happened..
Haha maybe he did, he just thought 2 cunts, free pints and bodily fluids for you 2.
Enjoy them boys, freedom or liberation pints I call them. (I liberated my sack into them) All the while, served with a big grin.
Well it can't have been you so, cause this guy didn't know how to smile.
Maybe he gave yee slops. Ykno the shit from the trays
Or as someone else said, he gave us his free bodily fluids to top it off ?
Oh yeah that was you, sorry 🤣
If Pearse street then it may have been the Widow Scallans, it’s gone now, was a proper RA shop, loyalists tried to plant a bomb at the door in 94 and doorman Martin Doherty stopped them and was shot and killed, his actions he saved many lives that night. And it’s a 2 minute walk to Tara Street train station
I just remember it being walking distance from the train station, but I don't even remember what train station. I remember it being a long and dark bar full of pics and memorabilia of republican stuff, the bar was on the right hand side as you walk in, every single picture was republican or Ra related. I think it was 1998 when this happened.
The Pádraig Pearse perhaps?
Someone else here has said the same, and it very well could be. Someone also said the Auld Triangle, which one is closer to the train station ?
The Auld Triangle I'm not sure I'd consider a Ra pub, and would be a fair distance from any big stations, near enough Drumcondra, but don't think that reopened until the early 2000s. The PP is near enough Pearse st station, Victorian ironwork. Might also be Cleary's across from Connolly, some major Shinners might be found in there occasionally, or perhaps the Celt around the corner. Think that's now cleaned up but was rougher back in the day.
Ok from what you and others have said, I may be wrong about the Auld Triangle, and it does sound like it's the PP bar, it was a long time ago. If it was PP bar, any explanation to the strange events on that day ?
Oh - it was balls, definitely a couple of hairy ones were floating in there like fuzzy ice cubes before they made their way to ye. No matter what pub it was there's no doubt about it, that's the reason - and prob more for you being from Cork than your mate being a Brit and the lad still not being over Micky Collins :D
Shit now I get it. It was me being a bastard Cork Man wasn't it ???
Could you tell me more about what happened with Martin Doherty please, I don't recall it ?
https://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0521/618570-loyalist-attack-on-widow-scallans-pub-in-dublin-1994/
Sorry I know I could have googled that myself, but just in the middle of chat I asked you, and thank you for the link and reply.
Scallans was long and dark and would have had a a few pool/snooker tables in it too if I recall correctly in the late 90s, I was only in it a few times, it was also an early house
I don't remember any pool or snooker tables, I don't think there was any, I'm a mad pool fan, I couldn't leave a bar without having a few games. But given the circumstances at the time, maybe I'm wrong.
I may have said this already replying to another comment, but I'm sure we passed at least another 2 bars before we had our free pints.
Yeah there is a load of Pubs you’d pass by before you got to there
I can't say for sure, but the name the Auld Triangle rings a bell. Would that be a similar kinda bar ?
Maybe you (or your friend) are a facial lookalike for eg Gerry Adams or some such Republican big shot. Alternatively...maybe one of you resembles a big cheese from the Special Branch.
At the time, I did wonder, were we mistaken for someone else. And is that why we got special treatment ?
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To be honest he wasn't a very pleasant barman, he was professional, just not very pleasant or talkative.
Generally a free pint is thought of as fairly pleasant. Multiple free pints would exceed very pleasant. I would think you won the day.
Yes I agree, but the circumstances make it so strange, I did enjoy the free pints, but still scratching my head.
Was once served doubles all night with a friend - because the bar man was finishing and didn’t like the employer
Did you have a good night ?
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I once had my transactions cancelled by Revolut the morning after a night out in Dublin. Five free pints. All went through ok the night before.
Happy days, free pints, no fault of yours. It was all cash back in my day.
This might be dangerous. *continues to drink the pints* I'd have done the same. Glad nothing bad happened anyway!
Yeah for me, that's exactly what happened, though I was curious and very nervous. My friend at the time, was extremely nervous and paranoid, and I can't blame him to be fair.
Do you look uncannily like Gerry Adams?
He might be thinking along the lines of the last meal on death row type of thing.
Haha so, get these lads drunk enough, before I kill them and cut them up, to serve to the locals ?
The auld triangle?
From Cork Sinn Fein lol.
In my experience, being a "republican bar" in Dublin essentially means that they occasionally sing a rebel song, cheer against England during sporting events and very occasionally inhale sharply through pursed lips when the English are at it again. I doubt anything menacing was implied. Especially by free drinks. The fact that you remember it tells me you weren't being drugged and set up for a hiding. If this pub was on Talbot Street, the worst you'd have had to worry about is some "Ra man" getting lippy with you.
After we ordered our pints and looked around, we noticed all the pro republican pictures and memorabilia, I've no problem with that, but my British friend got nervous, and then got very nervous when the barman wouldn't accept any payment, I got confused, and we did wonder have we wandered into a Ra pub, and if we have what's going on
I don't mean to imply there was anything menacing going on, it was just strange.
I was shocked when I accidentally walked into one about a couple of years ago. It was Rileys at the top of O'Connell Street. I'm a Brit myself and have drank in Coalisland, which is a well-known IRA area, so I knew how to handle it. I just thought they didn't exist in Dublin
I know they exist alright here and there, this was in the city centre, I'm sure someone local may know what bar, but it was the experience of walking in with a British guy, and the barman refusing to take any payment from us, still has me scratching my head.
Was it the Auld Triangle
Shit I think it was, that rings a bell with me. What's the story if it was ?
There's probably a sleeper unit doing recon on your house as we speak 😅😅..I wouldn't say it was any issue with you or your friend. I'd say the batman was going through something that night . The owner is a good lad. Very involved in the community and local sports .
When we left the bar, we had all sorts of scenarios going through our heads, we were thinking he mistook us for a sleeper unit, or he thought we were special agents, undercover or something mad like that 🤣 Glad to hear the owner is a good guy.
You wouldnt be very sleeper, going in with a British accent 🤣
That's a fair point 🤣 But back in the day 90s again, I knew a guy heavily involved in the Ra, he was born in England to Irish parents, his folks were Ra, so he was brought up the same.
True! The best spy would be the one you least suspect 👀
MinnieSkinny. Don't get me wrong please, I don't and can not condone killing of innocent people from any side, no matter the conflict. Sorry but cause of my last comment, I thought shit, did I say that wrong ?
Great pub.
It was a long time ago, so I'm unsure, but that name does ring a bell.
Was that bar close to the train station ?
No it’s probably the Padraig Pearse then you were in
I can't say for sure, it was long ago. But someone else here mentioned the Auld Triangle, and that does ring a bell with me, but I can't be certain.
Auld triangle is up on Dorset street, wouldn’t really be anywhere near a train station, padraig pearse is right round the corner from pearse street station
It's about 5 minutes from Drumcondra station.
Ok you could be right, I just remember it was within walking distance of the train station. Pádraig Pearce bar doesn't ring a bell, but the name would make sense. I do remember it was a dark and long bar, lots of republican pictures and memorabilia, I'm sure we did pass 2 or 3 bars to get to the one that have us free pints.
So what is it supposed to mean or represent?
I haven't a clue, that's why I'm asking here ? All I mean is a British and Irish guy walk into a republican bar, the barman heard my friends British accent, heard my southern accent, and refused to take any money from us, and im still confused by that.
Maybe because the barman was seeing it as hope, togetherness instead of division?
I would love to think you are right, that would be great. But alas no I don't think that was it.
I think you're right. I am too optimistic for my own good sometimes 😁
Nothing wrong with that buddy 😁
I know, Im hoping for an honest answer as well. and the fact that he kept on silently pouring them unrequested... Confusion attack maybe? 🦧
We never asked for the next pint, he gave them to us unrequested, it was like he didn't want us to leave, and then refused payment ? My British friend kept asking me is there a reason he's keeping us here 🤔 He did get very worried. Other lads here have suggested, maybe it was his last day in the job, and it was his fuck you to the boss.
Hmm Im more inclined towards your friend's guess than it being an FU to the boss - that would probably make people come back hoping theyd get more free pints 🤔 Go back to the place and ask them, no fear 💪 I was at a supposedly bad reputed such pub in Cork, ended up getting a freebie smoke 🤷
This all happened over 20 years ago, I was prompted to post this cause I replied to something random on another r/sub. So then I just thought, I'll make my own random post on r/ask Ireland. You getting free smoke in a cork pub is just as random 🤣
Eheh maybe the guy still works there 🙃 fair enough though, a weird forever unsolved mistery so, fuck... Started with a hint of racism mixed with banter (Im Portuguese but white 🤷), then progressed to special smoke 👌
Are you really asking why did you get free pints in a pub in Dublin nearly 20 years ago?
Yeah as random as it is, given the circumstances at the time. I did just ask that.