You wait all your life for a great read on Irish Pubs, and suddenly two come along at the same time. First up is Donal Fallon’s classic, The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History which we featured in a recent print issue of Totally Dublin.
The second is The Irish Pub: Invention and Re-invention, the first full-length academic study of the Irish pub ever undertaken.
From candle-lit corners in the 17th century to the polished snug bars to be found from Dublin to Dubai, this academic tome takes a deep dive into how our most famous institution came to be, and looks at where it’s headed next, taking time to unpack the Irish pub’s role in culture, community, and identity along the way.
Edited by Moonyoung Hong and Perry Share, contributions from academic experts across history, literature, sociology, psychology, music, architecture and food and drink studies interrogate the many ways the Irish pub has been invented and reinvented over the centuries.
Revealing hidden histories, inside stories, and some interesting new perspectives, the book explores everything from female publicans and queer pub life to diaspora bars and icons of Dublin’s pub design including The Long Hall.
Smart and incredibly accessible, this makes for a fascinating read for anyone who’s ever pulled up a stool at the bar.
The ideal accompaniment to a pint and a chaser.
Published by Cork University Press.
