Search icon

Counties

01st Jul 2019

PICS: “I Think These Are The Pubs That Do The Best Pint Of Guinness Throughout County Galway”

Darragh Berry

Now, I’m not saying I’ve had a pint of Guinness in every pub in Galway but much like Jack Charlton’s Ireland teams in the World Cups of the early 90s, I’ve given it a fair lash.

I feel that I look at a pint of Guinness the same way a dog looks at its owner when it hears the word ‘walkies’.

I’ve gone out in Galway, died in Galway, rolled over in Galway, swore that I’d never touch another drop ever again in Galway, before being coaxed into going for ‘just the one’ in Galway.

The easy way of completing this list would be to say that everywhere in Galway does a good pint of Guinness because 99% of the places are top class for a pint of mother’s milk (apart from this pint that was served at a Galway hotel and was compared to “poison”, I mean, JUST LOOK AT IT).

But life is not easy and this list won’t be either. In no particular order, this is your Guinness trail of Galway.

Taaffes

If Arthur himself opened a pub in Galway, he would have chosen here as HQ.

McSwiggans

One of the cheapest pints of Guinness Galway has to offer (it used to be €3.50 but it’s increased a small bit since the below picture was taken). An apt name because you’ll be swigging pints into you left, right and centre.

McGinn’s

I went here to watch a United match recently and managed to get through about five pints of Guinness between kick-off and the final whistle.

That’s the sort of cream you’re dealing with here.

Murty Rabbits

You’ll come for the Guinness but stay for the heated smoking area seats out the back.

Sonny Molloy’s/The Front Door

My friend swears that Sonny Molloy’s serves a better Guinness than the Front Door (Sidenote: They’re the same place, Sonny’s is basically the whiskey bar of The Front Door).

In fairness, he was a few Guinness deep when he made this statement…

Taylor’s

A famous Saw Doctor’s song goes: “I met her down in Taylor’s, at a session in the back. You know how it happens. I followed old tracks.”

It’s easy to follow old tracks with drink as good as this, the music sessions and smoking area with large heaters are a massive plus.

Tigh Neachtain

Get a snug in here and you’re laughing.

An Púcan

When the Connacht rugby team won the Pro 14 in 2016, this was their first port of call and there was one reason why…

O’Connor’s – Salthill

They don’t just call this the ‘Famous Bar’ for nothing.

This is great to watch:

If you’re up for a bit of travelling…

Tom Sheridan’s – Knocknacarra

It’s well worth the five-minute taxi journey from the city, that’s for sure.

Donnelly’s – Barna

Barna is a lovely little scenic village so it’s well worth exploring and sure, all that exploring makes you thirsty…

An Poitín Stil – Inverin

Named after one of Ireland’s most iconic drinks, you’re in bandit country when you’re sitting on the high stool in here but in fairness, it’s probably the best place to get lost in.

Peacockes Hotel – Maam Cross

Book into this hotel before you come – you’re going to need a place to stay when you go on a Guinness session here because you’re about 20 minutes away from seeing a sign for Galway or Mayo.

Burke’s – Clonbur

You’ll do so much talking to people from the area in this place that you’ll probably end up getting in a round with them – 18 creamy pints of Guinness coming up!

T.F. Varley – Headford

You can’t miss it. If you’ve passed the big Joyce’s and the traffic lights, YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR.

Conole’s – Kinvara

Kinvara is one of Ireland’s greatest small towns and the picturesque place is definitely worth a visit. €4 on the nose for a pint in this place and it goes down a treat.

But honestly, pick a name out of a hat because all of the pubs in Kinvara serve fantastic Guinness, from Greens at the bottom all the way to Tully’s at the top.

Conoles Main

Canavan’s – Tuam

They say that there’s “wild bad drink in Tuam” but that’s completely false. This is the best pint of plain from the town where the cartwheel was broken.

READ NEXT:This “Unique Alpaca Experience” In Galway Only Costs €20 And Should Be On Your Bucket List

Topics: