The Brazen Head, Dublin — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Brazen Head claims to be Ireland's oldest pub, with a hostelry existing on this site since 1198, though the present building dates to 1754. The first license to sell ale was recorded in 1661, and the earliest mention as an inn comes from 1668.

The pub sits on Bridge Street, in the very area that gave Dublin its original name. The settlement that became Dublin started right here, making The Brazen Head not just the oldest pub in the city but one rooted in the very spot where the city was born.

Over the centuries, the pub attracted some of Ireland's most consequential figures. Revolutionary patriots Robert Emmet, Edmund Burke, Daniel O'Connell, Henry Grattan, and Wolfe Tone all drank here, plotting and debating the future of Ireland over pints. Michael Collins sought refuge within its walls, and the pub narrowly survived the intense fighting of the 1922 Irish Civil War.

The atmosphere inside reflects its age. Low ceilings, creaking floors, and walls thick enough to muffle secrets create the kind of space where you can easily imagine 18th-century conspirators huddled in corners. Traditional Irish music sessions keep the cultural tradition alive, and the food menu offers solid pub fare.

A note of honesty: while The Brazen Head claims the title of Ireland's oldest pub, Sean's Bar in Athlone actually dates back to around 900 AD. But in Dublin, The Brazen Head's claim is undisputed.

A Questo quest through historic Dublin leads you to pubs and landmarks like this one, where the city's revolutionary spirit still lingers in every room.