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Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Barmaid serves up old-school charm and fine pints at just €5.60 in Clancy's of Athy
While we can't say for certain that Pub Spy has never been to Clancy's over the past 52 years, we can say that it was a first for this particular batch of Commandos. Clancy's bar in Athy, Co Kildare was busy during our visit Despite being only one hour from our headquarters, we hadn't paid a visit to the south county Kildare town of Athy since 2013. Although he initially begged us to go anywhere in Meath so he could discuss the Leinster final with the locals, the Old Commando was more than happy to visit the Lilywhites and see what kind of mood the GAA fraternity in this county was like. 'They must be kicking themselves too, getting beaten by Louth and a first Leinster title since 2000 sitting there waiting for them,' the Old Commando said as he arrived in Athy town. 'Why don't you ask them when we go into the pub?' the Young Commando suggested. 'I'd say they'd love to chat to you about it,' he joked. The town of Athy has changed since we were last here with new roadways and no through access in the square area, but once we found our bearings and a parking space we walked along Leinster Street, eventually arriving at the front door of Clancy's pub. The red and white exterior was in very good condition with the local GAA and rugby flags flying out front. A sign on the window is advertising a live traditional music session every Thursday night and a slogan on the window states: 'Keep the spirit Irish'. 'I'm surprised some far left nut-job hasn't suggested that is an issue,' the Old Commando said, rolling his eyes. Established in 1903, this pub was exactly what the Old Commando expected it to be, and he was delighted with his surroundings when he stepped inside the front door. The front bar is very tight for space so we took our seats in the corner while the Young Commando placed our order with the dark haired barmaid on duty. She served him immediately but there was no time for chit chat as it just seemed to be getting busier and busier during our stay. He did note she was very mannerly and polite and the creamy pints of stout cost €5.60 each. While we can't say for certain that Pub Spy has never been to Clancy's over the past 52 years, we can say that it was a first for this particular batch of Commandos. The Old Commando sipped his Guinness and told us this was like stepping back in the '80s as he really savoured the atmosphere among the mixed clientele of locals. There is a variety of drinks available on draught such as Guinness Zero, Orchard Thieves, Rockshore lager and cider, Angelo Poretti, Birra Moretti and Coors, and the shelves and fridges were well stocked. There are two TVs in the front bar, both of which were showing live sports, and we noticed Leinster and Athy rugby flags draped from the ceiling along with a Manchester United flag, the former English football giants turned relegation candidates. No children are allowed on the premises here after 9pm and this is a rule our Commandos wholeheartedly agree with. Some of our troops would ban them outright if they ever became publicans. There are many GAA related photos hanging throughout the pub, including the Athy football team that lifted the senior football championship in 1987 in their centenary year, and upon viewing these photographs the Old Commando got an opening to start his taunting. 'You'll probably have to make space for the Kildare team of 2026 when they capture the Leinster title,' the Old Commando said as he ignited a debate and stirred some local diehards. The Young Commando skipped out to inspect the toilets and advised us they were far more modern than the front bar and most likely have been upgraded in recent years. There are three urinals, one cubicle, a powerful, modern hand dryer and a unique sink embedded in a Jameson barrel. We really enjoyed our few pints in Clancys and we'd love to call again. Rating: Three pints out of Five One for the road: The Nags Head – Athy Twelve years ago, we paid a visit to The Nags Head pub in Athy and were glad to report it's still in fine shape all these years later. An elderly barman served us as soon as we arrived and he shared a great rapport with all the locals, a predominately young to middle aged clientele, all of whom were on a first name basis with each other. There was a very good atmosphere with lots of joking and some interesting characters, and the pints of stout cost us €5.60 each. We're not big fans of pool tables so close to the counter area though, as we tend to feel uneasy as the players move around the table lining up their shots. The red velvet barstools and bench seating were in good condition and the Young Commando was full of praise for the toilet area, which he said was spotlessly clean. We enjoyed our handful of pints in this pub — although there was no trace of Del Boy or Trigger! Rating: Three pints out of Five
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Police arrest man spotted drinking Rockshore while driving through Ballymena
A man has been caught literally drink-driving in Co Antrim over the weekend, according to police. The suspect was spotted twice with a tin of Rockshore lager in his hand while driving through Ballymena. He is set to appear in court over the offence. PSNI officers from an Interceptors crew spotted the motorist drinking from the tin as they were on patrol in an unmarked high-performance Golf R. News Catch Up - Monday 12 May 'The male was observed drinking from a can of lager as the Interceptor crew drove past,' a PSNI spokesperson said. 'The driver failed a roadside preliminary breath test and was subsequently arrested and taken to a local custody suite. 'In custody, the driver provided an evidential sample of breath of more than twice the drink drive limit.'
Sunday World
03-05-2025
- Sunday World
Trapper's Inn on the Tuam road hits the spot for good grub, perfect pints and atmosphere
The Old Commando didn't see the need to use up space in his gut on food so he stuck with his usual pint of plain, of which he was very complementary. Trapper's Inn on the Tuam road hits the spot for good grub, perfect pints and atmosphere OUR Commandos were delighted to be making the five-hour round trek to Galway this week and, as the Young Commando said, I only wish we could go there every week. It has never happened to us, and we don't know of anyone it happened to either, but we don't think it's possible to have a bad night out in Galway. It's always busy in or around the city regardless of the time of year, the time of the week or even the time of the day you call to a pub. 'Hopefully today's no different,' the Old Commando said, as our designated driver took us along the Tuam Road on the outskirts of the city centre. As sharp as ever, he spotted The Trapper's Inn on the right-hand side and suggested to us that this might be a nice little local to check out, while noting they served food and his stomach was rumbling. The Commandos don't mind where they visit as long as there are refreshments available, so he parked the pub mobile in the spacious car park adjacent to the boozer. Stepping inside the front door we found a bar to the left and to the right, but the Young Commando immediately turned left as he spotted a soccer match on one of the two TVs. It was reasonably busy when we arrived with a mixed clientele of mostly couples or groups of men, but we were served very quickly and a couple of the Commandos even opted for food. The Old Commando didn't see the need to use up space in his gut on food so he stuck with his usual pint of plain, of which he was very complementary. Coors and Rockshore are also available on draught and the bar staff and waitresses were all polite and friendly. The Old Commando enjoyed his pint of Guinness as he checked out the Galway GAA memorabilia behind the counter. Most of the clientele appeared to be tourists rather than locals but we did meet one regular barfly who informed the Old Commando as he sank his pint of Guinness of the new Radisson Red Hotel which had just opened 300m away. 'Trade has picked up around these parts since Christmas when that new hotel opened up. I suppose they're all coming here first for a few pints before getting taxis into the city centre,' he told the Old Commando. There was a decent atmosphere throughout the pub with a high turnover of customers during our stay. Most customers were dining, or lining their stomach as the Young Commando put it, and our troops who did order grub were left satisfied. The solid fuel stove wasn't lit as the spell of warm weather continued, and the green leather bench seating was generally in good condition, although it was torn in parts. The Proclamation hangs proudly inside the front door as well as a photo of Michael Collins, and the Tricolour is draped from the ceiling. Some of the great Galway teams in both football and hurling are also proudly displayed – such as the 2017 senior hurlers, the 2001 senior footballers and the great teams of the 1980s. Having survived in New York last weekend, perhaps the four-in-a-row chasing Connacht champions might have a new photo to hang at the end of 2025. Before we departed, we dispatched the Young Commando to inspect the toilets and he reported back to us that they were fresh and clean and contained two cubicles and a ceramic urinal. We enjoyed our grub and the few pints in The Trapper's Inn before our designated driver took us into town to finish off the night. Rating: Three pints out of Five One for the road: The Dew Drop Inn – Galway As the Young Commando pointed out, it probably wouldn't matter if you called to this pub on a Wednesday night or a Saturday night — it would still be busy. Our love for Galway continues to grow and it took us to The Drew Drop Inn recently where we enjoyed a fill of pints — too many, if the truth be known. There was a mixed clientele of all ages in the front bar where we sat, but the higher you went up in the building the younger the crowd. There is one TV in the front bar and a votive candle on each table with a nice open fire in the cosy snug section at the rear. The purple bench seating was fine and the timber flooring was clean. There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the bar and the staff were friendly and offered efficient service. The toilets are located upstairs and contained two urinals and one cubicle. Rating: Three pints out of Five
