One of those books, The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History, comes from the pen of Donal Fallon, a social historian whose writing sings. The Irish Pub: Invention and Re-invention, from Cork University Press, does something similar. It is also interesting to see an exploration of how the Irish pub was invented and how it became a global symbol of Irishness. Does this matter?” The only pity is that the cover price of €59, not at all unusual for an academic book, means The Irish Pub might not reach as wide an audience as it deserves to. Alcohol's ugly sideOn a separate, rather sober note: Irish pub culture is joyous, colourful and celebrated, but so many have fallen foul of the very thing that oils its wheels; alcohol.

Source: Irish Examiner December 27, 2025 13:00 UTC