The Irish Pub Tour Marches on! 

Yes, it is March. And here on the opening day of the month of St. Patrick, Tim Herlihy, our intrepid U.S. Ambassador from Tullamore Distilleries in Ireland, now enters his third week of the 50 States in 30 Days tour of authentic Irish pubs in America. 

What a way to start the month — 5 bars in four states plus DC…all in one day. 

That is a lot of traveling and drinking. 

Let’s follow today’s scorecard, shall we? 

The first stop is The Dubliner in Washington DC. It is in the Phoenix Park Hotel next to Union Station. Strategically, this is a great first stop since the place opens at 7am. Apparently our elected leaders need a pick-me-up prior to tackling our nation’s problems…or creating more of them, more likely. 

Well, this place boasts not only authentic, but it absolutely claims to be the best Irish pub in the nation. Apparently, the family came from Dublin originally and has been barkeeps in the states since 1933. The family still maintains a couple of locations here. 

The stock is straight from the Old Country and they are proud of it. 

Their food derives from Irish fare, like Irish stew and corned beef/cabbage. And they are proud of it. 

Their entertainment consists of soulful troubadours wailing out the ballads of Erie. And they are proud of it. 

Sounds like the place to be in DC. 

Call ahead to see if you can catch brunch with Tim. 

The Dubliner

NUMBER 4 "F" STREET

WASHINGTON DC 20001

202.737.3773

Stop number two is just across the river in Arlington, Virginia at Samuel Becket’s Irish Gastro Pub. Named after the author and playwright, not the time traveling doctor from project Quantum Leap, Samuel Becket’s has a rich looking website with little to say, even about its namesake. 

Nonetheless, head on over and tip a pint with Tim today. 

Samuel Becket’s Irish Gastro Pub

2800 South Randolph St, Suite 110,

Arlington VA 22206

From there, Tim rolls on over to Baltimore, Maryland. Now, if this writer had to choose the most authentic Irish Pub in America, this place would probably be the winner. 

It is called Patrick’s of Pratt Street. This place has been in existence and run by the same family and their descendants since 1847!!! The original location did move in 1862, but has been lodged in the second location since just prior to President Lincoln offering up the Gettysburg address. 

The place has family portraits on the walls that date back to the beginnings of photography. They still play celtic mandolin once a week for entertainment here. 

And here is an amazing tradition: The bar has NEVER opened on St. Patrick's Day!  They didn't wish to see the Irish making fools of themselves on a 'Holy Day’. Faith and Begorra INDEED! 

Patrick’s clientele are not the hoity toity highbrow types. Their regulars   consist of people from all over the metro area, many of whom lived in the area at one time. Artisans, Craftsmen, Magicians, University Professors, Police Officers, Lawyers, Salesmen, and Factory Workers are all to be found expressing themselves on common ground; truly a pub for all. And here is another grand tradition: no matter how heated the conversations, bad manners or obscenities are never tolerated. Patrick’s holds true to that tradition today, also! 

An authentic Irish pub with civility and Old Country Catholic morality. That is tradition! 

AND…our pal Tim Herlihy will be on CRN, a digital network, appearing on “What’s Cooking” a show highlighting the best of the Maryland region. Tim will be discussing all the REAL St. Patrick’s Day traditions (hint: Green Beer is NOT one of them, nor is dressing up like a leprechaun…drat!) 

He will also explain what Sruffaunoughterluggatoora means…and may even spell it from memory. 

Patrick's of Pratt Street, Inc.

934 W. Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21223

On to Newark, Delaware (and here you thought Newark was only in Jersey…) 

Catherine Rooney’s Irish pub was named after the founder’s mothers, Catherine McCoy and Gerry Rooney- Hudecheck; two wonderful Irish women who never had a bad word to say and who went out of their way to make visitors to their homes feel special and welcome. They carry that tradition in the spirit of these two women at Catherine Rooney’s. The point is to make you feel as though you are part of the family…because you are.

Catherine Rooney´s Newark

102 East Main Street

Newark, Delaware 19711

302-369-7330

Next and finally…Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and McGillin’s…another pub from eras gone by. 

Opened in 1860, they have been here and survived for so very long, they have accumulated some excellent memorabilia from places that lasted a century and were once household names in America, but now are simply part of a by-gone past. Wanamaker’s, Gimbel’s and Woolworths signs adorn the bar…yes, from the original stores when they opened back in the 19th Century and then closed in the 20th. It the oldest continuously operating bar in Philadelphia

WC Fields was a regular customer. He is quoted “Philadelphia is a wonderful place; I spent a week there one night.”

Ice cream, tea and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches got them through Prohibition while the bar stayed locked. Moments after Prohibition was repealed, Ma, extracted the key from her pocket…where she kept it all the time, and promptly re-opened the bar. 

They have been open daily ever since.