Mulligan's is a
pub
A pub (short for public house) is in several countries a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term first appeared in England in the late 17th century, to differentiate private ho ...
in
Dublin
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
,
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
which opened on Poolbeg Street in 1854.
History
The first Mulligan's was established on
Thomas Street, Dublin in 1782. The Mulligan family moved their business to several different premises, before leasing the present building in 1854 at 8/9 Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2.
Mick Smyth bought the pub from John Mulligan in 1932. Ownership later passed to Smyth's nephews, Con and Tommy Cusack,
before passing to Tommy Cusack's sons.
The former
Theatre Royal in
Hawkins Street was near Mulligan's, and the pub walls are decorated with associated posters, photographs, and showbills dating back to the early nineteenth century, as well as an autographed photograph of
Judy Garland
Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. Possessing a strong contralto voice, she was celebrated for her emotional depth and versatility across film, stage, and concert performance. ...
, who performed in the theatre and drank at the pub.
The pub is mentioned briefly in
James Joyce
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (born James Augusta Joyce; 2 February 1882 – 13 January 1941) was an Irish novelist, poet, and literary critic. He contributed to the modernist avant-garde movement and is regarded as one of the most influentia ...
's short story, ''
Counterparts'', and was used as a filming location on a number of occasions. Journalists and writers drank at Mulligan's during the twentieth century, including staff from the ''
Irish Times
''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...
'' and from the former ''
Irish Press'' newspaper - which operated next door until the collapse of the paper in 1995.
A number of Dublin musicians also drank there, as several music industry management offices were in the nearby Corn Exchange Building.
In his 1969 book ''Irish Pubs of Character'', Roy Bulson describes the establishment thus: "The license is one of the oldest in Dublin, dating from 1782. The late President of the U.S., John F Kennedy, called in for a drink and since then many other famous people have enjoyed a pint which is one of the best in Dublin. There are three bars, all with a genuine old-time atmosphere. As Mulligan's was across from the stage door of the old Theatre Royal, various theatre posters of this period can be seen. The hosts are very friendly and you will be sure of a warm welcome. Television is available."
An American tourist named Billy Brooks Carr, for whom Mulligan's was one of his "favourite places to visit in Ireland", reputedly requested that his ashes be kept in the pub's grandfather clock.
See also
*
List of pubs in Dublin
References
Sources
*
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Pubs in Dublin (city)
Tourist attractions in Dublin (city)