Old Royal Oak

Dublin. Opened in 1839, the pub served pensioners from Royal Hospital Kilmaimham until 1927, guards from the notorious Kilmainham Gaol, and soldiers stationed at the nearby Islandbridge and Richmond barracks. It is positioned on a narrow winding road that predates carriage and car traffic, escaping the alignment changes of the Wide Streets Commission. The name of course references the oak tree that Charles II hid in to escape capture after his defeat in the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The interior consists of a single room with classic dark wood paneling, an old style wood heater, historical photographs, and a traditional snug with a service hatch directly to the bar. They are known for their toasties, and they have traditional Irish music on Sundays, which was a treat to hear. My secondary local (located just down the street from our flat), I had great chats with the bartender James, who grew up with the owner of the Fraunces Tavern, the oldest pub in NYC (check out my previous post on that one). Small world!