Craic

To say that the Pub is the center of Irish social life is merely stating the obvious. When its good, the craic is only mighty. Craic (pronounced crack) is that wonderful mix of drink, talk, good spirits, and exuberance that suits ceol so well. Ceol? Song.

The state's Competition Authority produced a report on the pubs of Ireland with this great statistic: In Dublin, there is one pub for every 1119 adults, while in County Leitrim the ratio is one pub per 148 adults. Yet alcohol consumption per capita is roughly the same. The conclusion is inescapable - Leitrim folks are lonely drinkers, while Dubliners schmooze when they booze. County Waterford is average at 1 pub per 316 people.

Pub Hours

• Weekends: Thursday through Saturday the pubs will close at 1am.
• Weekdays and Sundays, closing time is 11pm during the winter and 11:30pm in the summer.

Needless to say, the Marine Bar is open for Craic agus (and) Ceol whenever it's legal.

• June through September - every night from 9:30 till closing time (except Wednesdays)
• October through May - Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights
  
• Special occassions such as
  lunchtime by prior arrangement for tour groups.
  weddings, parties, special events
  
• Monday nights - Sessions. Everyone and their favourite musicians are invited.

• Wednesday nights for 45

Every Wednesday night the neighbours fill the Marine for a night of cards. The game is 45, the traditional Irish card game. It's a bit like bridge with suits, bidding, and partners. Small sums of money are ante'd up with each new hand. The regulars always welcome fresh sheep, er players, in order to shear their expertise. (Just joking. It really is a tremendously fun and friendly time and all are welcome.)

Food

The Pub food reflects owner Christy O'Neill's motto. Good food. Fine drink. Great music. This is fine local fare - hearty and tasty and offered at a fair price.

A sampler

Seafood Chowder
Salmon, cod, mussels, prawns, fish in season. Christie heads for the docks at nearby Helvick Head for the freshest catch possible.

Vegetable Soup
Locally grown carrots, leeks, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes - among others. Often they're picked in the morning and in your meal by dinner time.

Steaks
All locally grown from farmers who are our neighbours. Irish cattle spend their lives eating their way through the finest grass pastures on the planet. When you get used to eating steaks grown at nature's pace on totally natural feeds - well, it's hard to return to that stuff they call beef in other countries. Cover the result in pepper sauce or garlic butter and savour the result.

Helvic Bay Prawns Tagliatelli
Irish recipes have gotten a lot more international in flavour. These locally caught prawns add color, taste, and panache to a great pasta dish.

Irish Stew, Bacon and Cabbage and traditional Irish dishes are, of course, available.

An English guy dropped in on his way to Cork. Stayed till closing. Came back the next day. And the next week. And the next year. Now he's moved here.

Marine Bar
Pulla, Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland
Tel: within Ireland 058 - 46520
Tel: international: +353-58-46520
E-mail: marinebar@eircom.net