Foley’s Bar in Tubercurry is still the best bar none with fantastic pints at a reasonable €5

AFTER 12 long years, Pub Spy and the team arrived back in Tubercurry and we were delighted to see that Foley’s pub still had its doors open for business.

We had paid a visit to this pub in October 2012 – and it seems like a lifetime ago now. However, our Commandos remembered the name as soon as they saw it and the positive memories came flooding back.

We observed on the way into Foley’s that the exterior of this pub would benefit from a coat of paint, but we’re glad to report that is probably the only issue we could find during our stay.

As we stepped inside the front door the Old Commando made a beeline for the large table in front of the fireplace and he secured himself a nice cosy seat beside the large solid fuel stove, but also allowing himself a good view of the TV that was hanging overhead. It’s important to be able to watch the horse racing too.

The Young Commando was dispatched to the counter to place our order and he was welcomed by an experienced barman who he described as quiet or shy.

He pulled good pints of stout, which was the most important thing, and engaged with the Young Commando while he waited on the stout to settle.

The creamy pints of Guinness cost us €5 each and the Young Commando spotted a framed copy of Pub Spy’s previous visit in 2012 hanging near the counter beside the door leading to the snug.

“I had a look at that article from 2012. It was €3.70 for a pint of Guinness, that’s a 35 per cent increase in 12 years,” the Young Commando informed us.

“And I probably complained about that price back then. Seems like pittance nowadays,” the Old Commando replied.

Hop House 13, Rockshore lager and cider and the Old Commando’s least favourite drink, Guinness Zero, are all available on draught, and the barman was kept on his feet throughout our stay as the middle aged to elderly male clientele backed horses and drank pints to beat the band.

The sandstone fireplace is a lovely feature and the solid fuel stove was keeping us nice and toasty in what were very cold weather conditions outside.

The cream and red leather barstools were in good condition but the brown coloured barstools at the counter have seen better days. There was a very good atmosphere in the front bar while a small group of men played pool in the rear section of the premises.

It didn’t take long before the Old Commando began to talk football with the locals and he was shocked to hear that Tubercurry had only one senior title since 1991.

“I remember being here in 2012 and I was sure Tubercurry were going to add a few titles to their name — it’s hard to believe that 2014 was the only one in 33 years,” he said to one local.

“Only for David Kelly it might have been zero in 33 years,” the barfly jokingly replied, as both men heaped praise on the former Sligo county star.

There are three TVs in the front bar and a jukebox and large screen TV in the rear section. The white floor tiles were very clean and the décor throughout the bar is very nice.

Similar to the rest of the pub, we found the toilets in spotless condition with a stainless steel urinal, one cubicle and two sinks provided.

Time sure has flown by since our previous visit to Foley’s pub in Tubercurry but we had a great time once again. Hopefully we won’t have to wait until 2036 to call again!

Rating: Four pints out of Five

One for the road:

The Dapper Duck – Gorteen

WE almost drove past The Dapper Duck, thinking it was closed, but boy were we glad we stopped to check it out.

Pub Spy and the team had been to this small village 12 years ago and the Old Commando remembered this building – although he was sure the pub traded under a different name back then.

Following some digging with the locals he remembered the old name of Teach Murray, but The Dapper Duck is now celebrating almost three years in business.

Andrea the barmaid served us promptly and was very welcoming and friendly.

She was on a first name basis with the locals although we did sense an English twang at times. The stone-faced fireplace and pillars are lovely features and the green velvet bench seating and red leather barstools were in good condition.

There were cans of Cidona in the fridge which pleased our designated driver as he said he hadn’t drank it in years.

There were people dining too with a good atmosphere in our section. The pints of stout cost €5 and they made the Old Commando happy.

That’s always a good day at the office in our book.

Rating: Four pints out of Five