Dublin Pub Life and Lore: An Oral History

Dublin was famous for its public houses even before James Joyce immortalized many of them in Ulysses. And Kearns, professor at the University of Northern Colorado, picks up where Joyce left off in this colorful history of the Dublin pub. A lengthy investigation into the place of alcohol, pubs and even temperance gives way to a discussion of the place of pubs in Dublin life. Here, Kearns describes such public houses as the recently closed Bailey, which catered to every nationalist Irishman from Parnell to Michael Collins (who, we are informed, was a sherry drinker), to the still vibrant McDaid's, the literary pub that Brendan Behan (who ""couldn't hold his drink,"" according to his barman) frequented, and Kavanagh's, ""The Gravediggers Pub,"" next to Glasnevin Cemetery. Readers will learn what a Shebeen is (an after-hours speakeasy), the importance and the dignity of the publican and what it means to be ""barred"" for life. Quotes from publicans, barmen and clients of long standing enrich the entire study, particularly in the last section, in which the author presents the testimonies of ""over fifty public house `old timers,'"" who bring the pubs to life with their informative and sometimes hilarious tales. This is a book that every tourist visiting Dublin should pack in the suitcase. (Nov.)