Pub 35 – Swans Curragha (County Meath)
Pub #35 is Swans Curragha in Co. Meath (Visited March & December 2022)
Pub 35 and our final stop off in and around Ashbourne is Swans Bar. Swans is a little off the beat and track. It’s down in Knavinstown, Ashbourne, Co. Meath near Tayto Park.
This is an absolute belter of a spot. Definitely goes straight onto our Beir Bua Recommended list. The bar, the lounge and the outdoor areas are cracking. This is the sort of pub you could easily stay in all day and want to go back to time and again. The owner does be around chatting with customers and never forgets a face.
A little bit of history on the place. Established in 1798 Swan’s Bar and Paud O’Donoghue’s Forge has been owned and run by the Swan family for over fifty years. Its a very popular spot in the community. The Swan family have lovingly restored Paud O’Donoghue’s Forge to the highest standard, with the utmost respect for the ancestral home of the legendary blacksmith, who made pikes and other weapons for the 1798 Rebellion. These weapons made by blacksmiths were used by the rebels in the battles of the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath and Vinegar Hill, Co. Wexford. (Ref Swans Website)
Inside the pub is the epitome of cosy. There are a number of stoves about the place and the atmosphere is always good. They don’t do food but sure that’s not the end of the world. Great pints, great service, some brilliant outside areas and a cracking-looking cosy pub. What more could you want?
Great Pints of Plain & Belter of a Pub
The Guinness in here was absolutely top notch. Not to drag things back down to earth but there is some difference between an experienced bar staff pouring a pint to a less experienced. The pints we had were belters but there was a drop off on one poured by a younger member of staff. Look our buzz isn’t to rate every last thing down to its absolute core, its not really a rating site at the heart of things. We just love pubs and pints and it’s about celebrating the absolute sh*t out of them but we also want to throw a little bit of balance in there. Overall, pints were sensational, and the pub an absolute beaut.
If you are in the area you have to check out Swans Bar Curragha its an absolutely cracking spot.
Now then, can you ship me one of them fine looking pints? This looks a right little place. If not a golden pint would this may be a golden pub?