Address: 29 South Main St, Centre, Cork, Ireland

An Spailpín Fánach is an iconic, character-filled, traditional Irish pub, founded in 1779. It is widely regarded as one of Cork’s last great old pubs, known for its authentic Irish atmosphere, which features a warm, cozy setting with low ceilings, exposed brick walls, flagstone floors, and fireplaces. The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming, and particularly lively after 9 PM. The pub’s name comes from an infamous Irish poem, and it is considered an institution for traditional Irish culture.

The pub’s main feature is its dedication to live music and traditional events. It hosts live traditional Irish music sessions most nights, including “The Lee Sessions Trad Trail,” and is home to the Cork Singers Club every Sunday night. It also has an upstairs function room that is frequently used for concerts, stand-up comedy (such as An Spailpín Comedy), and festival gigs. For food, the venue is known for serving traditional Irish fare for lunch (typically 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM), specializing in dishes like Irish stew and bacon and cabbage.