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Downing a Pint at the Old Country's Oldest Pub in Dublin, Ireland
From outside, the Brazen Head looks to be not only the oldest pub on the island, but one of its tiniest. But walk under the old stone archway, through the cobblestone courtyard, and you’ll find yourself exploring a dark warren of bars, dining rooms, truncated hallways, and staircases. The pub, established in 1198 as a coach house inn (hence the maze of rooms), has played host to many of Ireland's most famous sons (most notably James Joyce, who mentions it in Ulysses); the blackened wood and stone structure seems soaked in, and polished by, history. Vintage ads, photos, and dusty tchotckes fight for real estate above each of the three main bars. The tourists keep coming, but so do the crusty locals, preventing the place from turning theme park-ish. Have yourself a pint (or two, or three), scrawl a message on a dollar bill, and add it to the collection. Good craic.
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