Ireland’s longest bar

The Hole in the Wall Pub dates back to the mid-1650s. During these times, merchants, noblemen, and servants of the king would travel to the city on horses by coach and stay overnight at an Inn this one. A sign would hang that read ‘Ye Signe of Ye Blackhorse’ with a picture of a horse as many people were illiterate. In the 1840’s it started serving food and became a tavern and so became a popular spot when Monster Meetings and public speeches were made in Phoenix Park by Daniel O’Connell. O’Connell often came to the Blackhorse Tavern and even brewed ale which was sold here. Later in the century, the British Army was located in the McKee Barracks in Phoenix Park between 1891 and 1922, the soldiers would sometimes sneak off and go to the tavern for a pint of beer! The owner of the pub at the time, Levinus Doyle, served the men through a hole in the park wall – hence the name.

Thanks to MaEssential Vlog for video