I visited there yesterday (Saturday) at noon and it was closed (like a lot of Cork bars during the day it seems.
Upon querying a local barman, the Franciscanwell Brewery has stopped brewing beer?
I visited a couple of other bars, but there was no evidence of real ale.
Never seen so many bars of churches before.
The bars looked foreboding on the outside, but I'm sure they were OK inside.
I don't know, according to irishcraftbrewer.com they were brewing as of 24/3/08 & held an Easter beerfest & ICB beer competition - see
the Franciscan Well website has news of their Noz-Fest (Breton Celiidh) on 17th May, but unhelpfully doesn't seem to mention opening times.
as mentioned above, outside of Porterhouse, I've never seen cask in the Republic, though the IBC & FW sites do talk about cask at festivals & a regular cask brew at FW.
as in former churches, now made into bars?
(I take it you didn't go in then?) so anywhere that was worth actually entering & buying a pint or 2? ;~) cheers MikeMcG
I did go in a couple. Canty's in Pembroke Street. Rather gloomy, spoilt by Guiness advertising festooned everywhere, but the beef baguette I had was excellent.
Also, Henchy's Bar, St. Lukes Cross, Cork and Muskerry Arms, Blarney. Nothing special and Sky TV predominated in them all.
just to clarify - are you just talking about 'bars' or pubs too? - i.e. were the ones mentioned above the best that you found in the Cork area? cheers MikeMcG
The first two I would classify as bars; the third in Blarney)a pub.
I wouldn't like to make a judgement on that until I'd been in every one:-))
(tough job, but I think you're the man :~)
but the reason I was asking is that I've never drank in Cork, but heard good things, & you didn't sound overwhelmed by your drinking there? cheers MikeMcG
I think you summed it up for me.
Off to Gothenburg, Sweden next. Looks promising.
To add a postscript to this, I finally got there last Weekend !
Very much in business, however (as noted above) not open lunchtimes, they open at 3pm ! Closing times vary by Day of the Week, Sunday is 10-30 and Fri/Sat is 00-30 the following day IIRC.
Various beers including, of course, their own at around 4 Euro/Pint IIRC dispensed from keg-type founts under some sort of pressure system, so not like a "Brew Pub" in the English sense - there were handpumps on the bar but I was told that they were not used and were for "decoration only". The beers were very pleasant and I particularly liked the "Purgatory" ... and the poster for the Shandon Stout. You'll get the joke when you see the Church ...
The Bar area itself (on the right at the end of the alleyway as you enter under the arch from the street) is perhaps a little dark but there is a pleasant courtyard area (partly roofed and with tables and seating and, of course, smoking) outside at the back. Seems to attract a fairly young crowd.
Definitely recommended if you're in Cork, just remember they don't open up until the afternoon !
Hope this helps ...
Chris
That was my disappointment, even on Saturdays!
Off to Sweden next.
thanks Chris - I'm happy to hear they're still going - too many Irish micros have gone to the wall! cheers MikeMcG
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