Fair Green bar in Ardee doesn’t look much but we enjoyed this gorgeous boozer and €5.50 pints
Never judge a book by its cover is one of the oldest expressions you can use, and this is certainly the case for the Fair Green Bar.
The Fair Green Bar was a welcoming spot
Fair Green Bar – Ardee Co. Louth
After a quick 50-minute journey northbound from our HQ, we found ourselves in Ardee, Co Louth. The Old Commando was still suffering a football hangover and avoiding the Drumcondra area as best he could.
He insisted we keep the pub-mobile on the road this week as he still couldn’t face up to a bustling city centre full of Kerry, Armagh, Donegal and Galway supporters.
“It’s a mighty strange feeling having all this spare time on your hands,” the Old Commando bemoaned from the back seat.
“Isn’t it even stranger to think Louth lasted longer in the football championship than Dublin this year,” the Young Commando jokingly replied, as he stirred the pot even more, never missing a chance to annoy his devoted Dubs supporting colleague.
Pub Spy is no stranger to the town of Ardee, having visited the area on many occasions over the last 10 to 15 years but it seems every time we come back another pub has closed down.
Our designated driver drove through the main street before eventually arriving at Fair Green Bar on the opposite side of the town.
As often as we’ve been to Ardee, we don’t believe we’ve ever paid a visit to this bar. The Old Commando insisted we try it even though we all had reservations based on the exterior.
“The nameplate must be from Cromwell’s time, it’s older than the fog,” the Young Commando joked as we approached the front door.
Never judge a book by its cover is one of the oldest expressions you can use, and this is certainly the case for the Fair Green Bar.
The interior of this pub is beautiful, spacious and very modern and we immediately took a shine to it. We nabbed some seats just inside the front door on the left side, which gave us a great view of the TV, one of four located throughout the bar.
Read more
The Young Commando was punished for being presumptuous by being told the first two rounds were on him.
A young bearded barman served him immediately and even dropped over the creamy pints of stout to our table. The Guinness cost €5.50 but we were surprised to notice that there were not many sipping Arthur’s finest as they were mostly drinking lager.
Rockshore cider and lager as well as Coors are available on draught and the shelves were fully stocked with an array of bottles too.
There are disinfectant stations either side of the front door which sent a shiver up our spine as the flashbacks from those awful two Covid years came flooding back.
“If it makes people more comfortable knowing they’re there, it’s no harm I suppose,” the Old Commando muttered.
There was an excellent atmosphere among the mixed clientele in the bar, while the smoking area was also busy with a younger crew.
A sign behind the bar says there are no kids allowed after 7pm and Pub Spy (especially the Old Commando) is a big advocate for this rule. He’d prefer an outright ban, but that’s perhaps a small bit extreme.
The grey leather barstools and bench seating are in good condition and there are gaming machines and a jukebox also available for entertainment purposes.
A photo of the Louth 1957 football team hangs proudly beside the counter and there is a pen profile of seven of the players, all of whom hailed from St Mary’s Ardee GAA club.
It got busier and busier as the evening went on, and with some tables reserved for a party later in the night we knew it was our cue to leave.
This is a lovely pub inside with very nice décor and we’d be more than happy to call again.
Rating: Three pints out of Five
One for the road:
Landy’s Irish Harp – Ardee
THERE was a nice, relaxing atmosphere in Landy’s bar when Pub Spy and the crew stopped off for a quick pint or two.
We sat in the raised snug-style section in the corner of the bar admiring some iconic black and white photographs from famous film scenes while the Young Commando was dispatched to the bar to fetch our stout.
An elderly barman was on duty and he served us without delay. Coors and Carling are available on draught and the counter and shelving were all kept very clean.
The timber floor was swept and there is a fireplace at the end of the bar. Fortunately, it wasn’t lit during our stay.
The wine-coloured swivel barstools and bench seating were in good condition and there are two large screens TVs.
A framed GAA jersey sponsored by this pub hangs proudly beside the counter and the toilets checked out fine.
Rating: Three pints out of Five
