The Tap Tavern Bar - Kinsale
The Tap Tavern bar is one of the oldest, if not the oldest bar in Kinsale. It is unique for many reasons. Firstly, it is the only family run bar in Kinsale. It has been in the same family for the past 4 generations. Each generation has put its own stamp on the bar without destroying the work of the previous ones. The Tap Tavern lies in the shadow of St Multose church, a 12th century church and in the beer garden of the bar you will find a 15th century well. The origin of this well is unclear. It may have been in a cloister next to St Multose church or it may simply have been one of many wells in the center of the old walled town of Kinsale. Whatever its origin, there can be no coincidence between the existence of this well and the address of The Tap Tavern (Guardwell).
The Tap Tavern is popular with tourists and locals alike. Locals enjoy the opportunity to have a chat or a gossip next to a roaring turf fire with the owner of the bar, Mary O’Neill or occasionally her son Brian. Mary has been pouring pints and serving whiskeys for more than 50 years now and she is a wealth of information about anything that's happening locally. Tourists on the other hand are attracted to the originality of the bar and its historical importance. The Tap Tavern can also boast a number of musical events that occur throughout the year, but by the far the most popular attraction, is the very successful Kinsale Ghost Tour.
The Kinsale Ghost Tour is one of the most popular attractions in Kinsale. Its success is due to the zany antics and pyton-isk humor of its authors, David Peare and Brian O’Neill. The tour will also supply enough historical facts to keep even the most avid historian happy. The Kinsale Ghost Tour leaves from The Tap Tavern 6 nights a week (Sunday to Friday) during high season. Please call Brian directly for all enquiries to +353 (0)87 9480910
Kinsale is a very popular destination, whatever the time of year. With its brightly painted houses and attractive harbour, and the many, many restaurants, it is known as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland. The Tap Tavern is also the only bar in Kinsale which was selected to be part of the Ireland Whiskey Trail. Here you will have an opportunity to sample many different types of whiskey, not least of which is the Kinsale 2000. This is a 25 Year Old Single Malt from Bushmills, put into cask in 1975 and bottled in the year 2000. You can enjoy a shot of this exceptional malt in The Tap Tavern, but even better, you can buy your own bottle to bring home with you. The Tap Tavern is also the only pub in Ireland which appears to have bought a cask with 3 ends - don’t forget to ask Mary how she ended up with a 3 ended whiskey cask!
So if it's music, chat, entertainment or the finest of whiskeys you are looking for, or maybe you just want to sit and contemplate a fine pint by a cozy fire, then make sure you call into The Tap Tavern.
The Tap Tavern – Guardwell, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Tel. +353 (0)21 4772240
Email: marytap@iol.ie
Local Tourist Info and Accommodation: www.kinsale.ie
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