Small, cosy, independent
Picture O'Kellys, only a little smaller and a little quieter, on a street corner in the north of the city.
What a free house is
In Ireland and Britain many pubs are owned by a brewery, or tied to one by contract, and may only serve that brewery's beers. A free house is the opposite: an independent pub that decides for itself what goes on the taps and what sits on the shelf.
That is exactly what O'Donnells is. We can pour Guinness and at the same time offer a beer from the Black Forest or an Irish craft brew, simply because we like it. The selection is allowed to change, and it will.
The look
Dark timber, warm light and a coffered ceiling with gold Celtic knotwork, the kind you find in old pubs across Ireland. The colours inside are still being decided; the direction is settled: more a living room with a bar than a hall. Room for a group around a table, a corner for two, and stools at the bar for anyone who prefers to join the conversation.
What is on offer
- On draught: Guinness of course, plus Irish classics and guest beers that change.
- Whiskey: A proper Irish selection, from easy going to special. If you want to go deeper, our sister pub Oscar Wilde's has the big whiskey bar.
- Also: Cider, soft drinks, tea and coffee. No pub on Achill goes without a cup of tea.
Whether there will be food, and what, will be announced in good time. For the full pub kitchen there is always O'Kellys in the meantime.
And the rest
We are opening a pub first and deciding everything else afterwards. What evenings, events or regular nights come along will depend on the place and on the people who come through the door. Anything we decide will appear under Events and News.
More details will be added here as the opening gets closer. Check back soon.