When you step through the doors of Sean’s Bar in Athlone, Ireland, you’re not just entering a pub—you’re stepping into a living piece of history.
Located just over 70 miles from Dublin, this pub is believed to have been serving drinks since 900 AD.
This makes Sean’s Bar the oldest pub in Ireland, and maybe even the world.
Yes, you read that right. 900 AD.
That’s over a thousand years of pouring pints and serving up a good time.
Sean’s Bar: The Oldest Pub In Ireland
In 2004, Sean’s Bar was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest pub in Ireland.
Sean’s Bar also stakes a serious claim as the oldest pub in the world.
The pub’s age isn’t just hearsay.
During a renovation in the 1970s, workers discovered that some of the walls were made of wattle and wicker, a building method straight out of the Middle Ages.
They also found old coins that landlords used to trade with customers.
These artifacts are now in the National Museum of Ireland, but you can still see part of the original wall inside the pub.
The Origin Of Sean’s Bar
Legend has it that Sean’s Bar started out as an inn, founded by a man named Luain Mac Luighdeach.
He guided travelers across the River Shannon, and soon enough, those weary travelers needed a place to rest and enjoy a drink.
And so, Sean’s Bar was born.
Interior Of Sean’s Bar
Inside, Sean’s Bar feels like a step back in time.
The most special feature is the original wattle and wicker wall, showing the pub’s ancient roots.
The walls are decorated with old photos and artifacts that tell the pub’s long history.
The furniture is simple, with wooden tables and chairs that have probably hosted many lively conversations over the years.
The floor is often covered in sawdust.
An open fireplace adds warmth, and the low ceiling, wooden beams, and soft lighting create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Live Irish music often plays, making the experience even more enjoyable.
They even serve up their own whiskey and offer daily talks about the history of whiskey distilling, which, a fun fact, started in Athlone around the 6th century.
Now, you might have heard whispers of another pub, The Brazen Head in Dublin, claiming to be Ireland’s oldest.
But the folks at Sean’s Bar are pretty confident in their claim, and with that 1,000-year history, it’s hard to argue.
Athlone Itself Is Rich In History
Athlone is known as Baile Átha Luain in Irish, meaning “The town of Luan’s Ford.”
It is a town located on the border between County Roscommon and County Westmeath, along the River Shannon, Ireland.
It has witnessed everything from Viking raids to medieval battles.
With a population of 22,869 as of the 2022 census, it is the second-largest town in the Midlands Region.
The town developed around a ford, a shallow crossing point of the river, which made it an important spot for travelers and military forces alike.
Athlone Castle, located on the western bank of the river, is the town’s historical heart.
The castle was built in 1129 by High King Turloch Mór Ó Conor to protect the bridge crossing the river.
It has seen many battles and sieges, especially during the 17th-century wars that swept through Ireland.