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9 : Portmarnock Golf Links . 10 : A local enjoys a pint inside the Palace Bar . 11 : Comfortable Clontarf Castle Hotel makes an excellent Dublin base with several good courses close by .
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BACK NINE – THE PUBS
Hole 10 - Palace Bar
A short stroll from Temple Bar ’ s cobbled streets , the Palace Bar is often said to be the perfect example of an old Dublin pub . Step into the beautiful snug with its mirrors and wooden niches in which many a historic meeting has taken place , or the back room with its high ceiling and ornate stained glass , where literary stock used to gather . Flann O ’ Brien and Harry Kernoff were regulars , and the Palace Bar became one of Dublin ’ s great literary pubs . An advertisement published in the “ Where to drink Guide 1958 ” adorns the wall and says : “ Internationally famous also for its intellectual refreshment .”
Hole 11 - John Mulligan ’ s
Once a working-class drinking man ’ s pub , this brilliant old boozer is another virtually unchanged over the years . Established in 1782 , its main claim to fame is a perfectly poured pint of Guinness and the colourful crew of regulars who are considered experts on the subject . Over the years Mulligan ’ s has attracted a mixed bag including former US President John F Kennedy and it also featured as the local in the film My Left Foot starring Daniel Day Lewis as Christy Brown .
Hole 12 - Grogan ’ s Castle Lounge
Known among regulars simply as Grogan ’ s , this city centre institution is a favourite haunt among painters , writers , bohemians and alternatives . From the street , not much can be seen through the lace curtains , but once you go through the door it ’ s like stepping into someone ’ s living room . The actor Brad Pitt became a local here to help him soak up the Irish atmosphere , while working on the movie Snatch .
Hole 13 - O ’ Neill ’ s
Granted the James Joyce award for being an authentic Dublin pub , O ’ Neill ’ s has existed as licensed premises for over 300 years . Featuring five bars and numerous alcoves and snugs all of which attract a different clientele and age group , from students and lecturers at nearby Trinity College , to busy city traders and lovers of the arts and theatre . As an added bonus , O ’ Neill ’ s is one of 220 Irish pubs with special beer-dispensing tap tables , where customers can pour their own Guinness without the interminable wait for the barman to put the shamrock in the froth . Taps on the tables are linked to kegs behind the bar and customers leave their credit card to pay for a given number of pints .
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