Bunratty’s fab JP Clarke’s is Pub Spy’s favourite bar so far in 2025 with pints at €6.20

​Almost 12 years ago, Pub Spy and the team paid a flying visit to Bunratty on our way home from Sixmilebridge.

To this day, the Old Commando still reminisces about the lovely pub in the heart of Bunratty where he reserved as much praise for the lovely steak dinner he had as he did the creamy pints of stout.

When our designated driver announced at HQ this past week that were making the two-and-a-half hour trip to Co Clare, he perked up from behind his desk and suggested JP Clarke’s as our venue of choice.

“I’m easy anyway, as long as there’s good porter,” the Young Commando replied, who was still nursing a hangover from Rory McIlroy’s golfing success at Augusta last weekend. We think he was just glad to get some sleep in the pub-mobile on the long journey down the M7.

We arrived at the busy boozer in the heart of Bunratty and our designated driver, who enjoys the simple things in life, was thrilled that there was a large car park provided at the front of the pub.

The outdoor seating area was extremely busy with couples and families enjoying meals and the sunshine, but any such notion of our travelling crew sitting outside was immediately dismissed by the Old Commando.

“The high stool is the only job, as close to the taps and barman as possible,” he insisted.

We were served by a barman named Barry who was ably assisted by a young barman and two waitresses. They were all friendly and welcoming, as you’d expect in a tourist haven like Bunratty. But one thing that did surprise us during our stay was just how often the pub landline phone rang.

“I think Barry has answered more calls than he has pulled pints,” the Young Commando joked.

Its seemed unusual in this day and age, but it’s a good sign when the phone is ringing as they were mostly for table bookings as far we could make out. The pints of Guinness were €6.20, an increase of €1.60 from our trip in 2013 and a further sign of how the Irish Government seems to have little or no interest in the tourism sector anymore despite the country’s reliance on it.

“You’d wonder how long more before the Yanks and the likes start to really say enough is enough, Ireland’s a rip off,” the Old Commando wondered.

Our designated driver opted for Guinness Zero which is 50c cheaper at €5.70. They also have Heineken Zero, Orchard Thieves and Birra Moretti among other drinks on draught.

We’re glad to report that JP Clarke’s pub is still as exceptional as it was 12 years ago and our Commandos couldn’t find a fault anywhere. The flagstone floor tiles were very nice and the orange leather barstools were in excellent condition.

There is one large screen TV in the main bar where we sat with a second TV in the next section. The floor-to-ceiling timber walling, which must be 20ft in some parts, is yet another beautiful feature in the pub, as well as the stone walls in the hallway leading to the toilets.

While we hadn’t the appetite (or price!) of a nice steak this time around, the Young Commando couldn’t help himself and sampled a basket of chicken wings. He claimed they hit the spot as he licked his fingers clean. There was a good atmosphere in the front bar where it was more of a younger clientele while the second section was far busier by headcount but much quieter as it was mostly elderly tourists dining.

The interior of this pub is immaculate and the toilets were exceptional too, with four urinals, two cubicles, two modern sinks and a hand dryer.

We can’t praise this pub highly enough and would say it’s easily the most impressive pub we’ve visited in 2025 so far. Keep up the good work and Pub Spy will be back.

Rating: Five pints out of Five

One for the road:

Durty Nellys – Bunratty

THE Young Commando was delighted to see the outdoor seating area full of cackling hens when we arrived to Durty Nelly’s pub in Bunratty.

Unfortunately there was no seating left outside, so we made our way inside where the bar was just as busy, although it had more of a mixed clientele.

They serve food and there is a restaurant area at the rear of the pub.

However, our Young Commando was accosted by the bar staff as he walked towards this section in search of the toilets – they mustn’t have liked the look of him.

Guinness Zero, Birra Moretti and Harp are available on draught and they sell their own merchandise here, including signature t-shirts.

The atmosphere was fantastic with a mixture of US and Irish tourists.

The toilets checked out fine and the pint of Guinness is advertised at €5.80.

Rating: Four pints out of Five