AN INTRODUCTION

They say that a week is a long time in politics. Unfortunately the opposite appears to be the case in the Dublin licensed trade as a pub of 100 years standing is not generally considered a particularly old premises. Perhaps this is because we have so many old premises or, perhaps it is that we do not properly appreciate the richness of culture and social history that is attached to our industry.

At Harry Byrne’s we have always been conscious of our great heritage, and we are very proud of the fact that 1998 marked our bi-centenary. We are fortunate that we have been able to trace our history back to its humble origins as a Coaching Inn in 1798. Along the way our industry has seen great innovations, and our country has witnessed great changes.

Now, as in ages past, though perhaps not as important historically, the pub remains central to the Irish way of life. We at Harry Byrne’s have a unique history and a unique heritage. We take comfort in the fact that we have always been faithful to the ethos of the traditional pub despite the obvious temptations, over the years, to modernise. To have done so would have been an act of cultural sabotage resulting in the desecration of a Heritage’ pub.

ORIGINS

This gem of antiquity, which is descended from an 18th century Coaching Inn, opened its doors to the Dublin public in 1798. The first licensee, David Hallisey, acquired this site as a consequence of the unsafe travelling conditions on the Howth Road, `which enjoyed a notorious reputation for the four miles that it disappears from the shore at Clontarf until it reappears again beyond Raheny.

The opening of Annesley Bridge at Fairview in 1797 gave an added importance to the North Coast bringing with it increased coach and merchant travel. Along the way they had to contend with Mud Island, a vile and despicable area between the present Ballybough Road and the North Strand, which was an infamous resort of smugglers, thieves and murderers. And if the traveller of the age survived this, he next came in contact with the `Sloblands’ – the present Fairview Park – which harboured all sorts of vagabonds, society cast offs, common thieves and miscreants, who thought little of relieving vulnerable passers-by of life and limb, not to mention his worldly goods. Further along the Howth Road in close proximity to the Black Quarry and the Hollybrook River, our 18th century coach traveller encountered the more professional highwayman – normally on horseback – who excelled in the art of robbery, but seldom killed or maimed his victim as such outrages brought swift recriminations from the authorities, the consequences of which impaired the smooth and efficient operations of the highwayman’s profession.

These were the prevailing social and economic conditions which David Hallisey encountered when he acquired the first licence here in 1798.

THE ARRIVAL OF HARRY BYRNE – 1947

In the Spring of 1920 a young man from Birr, Co. Offaly, arrived in Dublin to serve his apprenticeship to James J. Corbett. His name
was Harry Byrne. When the young Harry arrived here, Clontarf was a quiet, sparsely populated suburb of the City of Dublin. Under the vigilant and inspirational eye of James Corbett, he quickly learned the rudiments of the Dublin trade. During these years of the infant Irish State his only sensational experience occurred when the premises was one morning subjected to armed robbery.

Later, following the custom of the trade, he moved on to gain further experience in another pub, scarcely realising that he would ever return to Clontarf. But in 1947 he did just that, returning to buy this premises at the then astronomical price of £22,000 – a development which sent ripples and shudders through the conventional Dublin trade.

And so the citizens of Dublin have over the past 50 years come to pay homage to this great heritage pub that bears the name of Harry Byrne. Harry remained in the family business until the 1970s, earning the reputation of a strict, austere yet compassionate publican who always cared for the welfare of his customers. So much so that he sometimes sent home even his best customers if he considered that they had exceeded their quota.

Irish Pubs

Discover the best pubs in Ireland

Harry Byrnes

Harry Byrnes

Login