The Palace Bar

Dublin. The building originally dates back to 1823, serving as a drapery shop run by John Stanford. In 1912 the Ryan family from Tipperary took over the building and converted it into a public house. In the 1940s and 1950s it became the social headquarters for journalists, writers, and editors from the Irish Times, including legendary editor R.M. "Bertie" Smyllie. Famed literary figure Patrick Kavanaugh dubbed it a "temple of art". In 1947 renowned war photographer Lee Miller captured an iconic image inside the pub for Vogue magazine, noting that she was the only woman allowed inside at the time due to her trailblazing journalism career.

The exterior features red brick walls, polished granite pilasters, and carved limestone scrolls. The narrow interior remains exceptionally preserved, complete with a low ceilinged mahogany bar, beautiful wood paneling, and a striking high ceiling backroom lit by a classical stained glass skylight. During the Irish War for Independence, general and statesman Michael Collins used the front snug to hold clandestine strategy meetings away from prying eyes. A truly beautiful pub.