29 Places In Ireland Where You Can Enjoy A Pint With A Glorious View

We’ve been writing about Irish pubs quite a bit lately. A couple of weeks back, we published a guide to 36 of the finest pubs in Ireland.

A few weeks before that, we knocked out a guide to the best pubs in Dublin (for history, Guinness and snugs).

Today, we’re back with a slightly different one – this guide’s all about places in Ireland where you can enjoy a pint while soaking up a mighty view.

Expect everything from beachside bars to pubs plonked between hills and mountains. Sound good? Dive in below!

1. Jacks’ Coastguard Restaurant (Kerry)

You’ll find Jack’s Coastguard Restaurant in Killorglin in County Kerry, a stone’s throw from the gorgeous Dingle Peninsula, the buzzy Killarney town and plenty more.

Built in 1866, Jack’s is a coastguard station set on an idyllic shingle beach. Head for a ramble first and then get inside after for a post-walk feed and a beer.

Those lucky enough to find themselves here can ramble outside for a panoramic view of the McGillicuddy Reeks and the gorgeous Inch Beach.

2. The Beach Bar (Sligo)

The Beach Bar in Sligo is special. It’s a gorgeous, traditional Irish thatched pub nestled right beside the sea that boasts views of the Ox mountains and the majestic peaks of Knocknarea and Benbulben.

You can chill from the comfort of this old-school pub while lapping up the views or you can tip outside, perch yourself on the wall across from the pub and gulp down some fresh sea breeze while you nurse a pint.

3. Smugglers Creek Inn (Donegal)

The Smugglers Creek Inn is another pub on the Wild Atlantic Way. This spot treats visitors to spectacular views out over the magnificent Rossnowlagh beach and Donegal Bay.

If you visit during the colder months, you can enjoy a panoramic view from the comfort of the conservatory.

4. Murphy’s of Brandon (Kerry)

You’ll find the family-run Murphy’s Bar in the little village of Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula in the west of Kerry.

Murphy’s is finely plonked on Brandon Pier and it treats visitors to views of Brandon Bay and the surrounding hills and mountains.

If you visit during the winter, you can kick back in front of a roaring fire with some of the finest seafood around. 

5. O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar (Connemara)

If you read our guide to the most underrated towns in Ireland, you’ll have seen me mention O’Dowd’s. Widely regarded as the oldest pub in Connemara, O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar is located smack bang in the centre of Roundstone village.

Overlooking the harbour with panoramic views out over Roundstone Bay and the Twelve Bens, this place is a must for anyone exploring Connemara. 

6. O’Looney’s Bar (Clare)

OK, so I couldn’t find a picture with a pint in it, but the photo above should give you an idea of the view that you can expect from O’Looney’s Bar in Clare.

As you can see above, O’Looney’s is located right by the sea in Lahinch in the west of Clare, which means you can sip away at a pint or a coffee while you watch the waves crash.

7. Aherlow House Hotel (Tipperary)

Those that visit the Aherlow House Hotel in Tipperary for a sneaky pint can soak up some mesmerising views of the spectacular Glen of Aherlow.

There are also gorgeous views out over the Galtee Mountains – Ireland’s highest inland mountain range. Now, if you’re visiting the area, try and get out for a hike or a walk pre-pint. There’s a tonne of things to do in Tipperary that are well a bash.

8. The Towers Bar and Restaurant (Mayo)

The Towers Bar is another ridiculously scenic spot for a pint or 3. It’s located at Westport Quay in Mayo, where it looks out onto Clew Bay and beyond to Clare Island.

I was here with a friend last summer. We couldn’t get a seat for dinner (the food here is supposed to be top-notch) but we had a pint while sitting on the little stone wall that surrounds the beer garden.

This is a grand little spot for those of you that climb Croagh Patrick – it’s a handy 10-minute spin from the mountain and you’ll be able to admire its peak from afar while you nurse a pint.

9. The Strand Inn (Waterford)

I was here for the first time during the summer on a particularly hot day (nose and forehead scorched out of it!).

The Strand Inn is located right next to the water, offering brilliant views of the sea and the coastline at Dunmore East. If you arrive on a fine day, try and nab a seat out near the railings.

10. Tigh T.P. (Kerry)

I’ve visited Tigh T.P. in Ballydavid many times, and on every occasion, it’s been lashing rain… Every. Damn. Time!

For those that visit when the weather is good and the chairs and tables are set up outside, you can expect the gem of a view in the photo above. Not bad at all.

11. The Beachcomber Bar (Donegal)

The next stop on our list, the Beachcomber Bar, can be found in Rathmullen in Donegal, a handy 20-minute drive from the glorious Ballymastocker Beach.

The Beachcomber Bar in Donegal offers patrons panoramic views over Lough Swilly towards Inch Island and Inishowen Peninsula. Get yourself here sharpish.

12. Bunnyconnellan Bar (Cork)

You’ll often hear the Bunnyconnellan Bar referred to as ‘The Cottage on the Rocks’. The view in the photo above should give you a good idea why.

Built in 1824, the Bunnyconnellan Bar is perched atop cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, Cork Harbour and Roche’s Point. Magic.

13. Tigh Ned (Galway)

The final spot on our list for a scenic pint is Tigh Ned. You’ll find this place on Inis Oirr island, off the coast of Galway.

I’ve been here once. It was cold, wet and insanely windy. But we grabbed a pint and stood out in the garden, admiring the miles of stone walls and the islands on the horizon.

14. The Harbour Bar (Donegal)

OK, so the photo above is a little bit fuzzy, but it gives you a solid idea of the ridiculous view that the Harbour Bar in Donegal boasts.

You’ll find the Harbour Bar in Downings, a Gaeltacht village and townland in one of the most stunning corners of Ireland.

If you arrive on a fine day, you can kick-back and enjoy views of the magnificent Sheephaven Bay from the comfort of the decking.

15. The Sneem Hotel (Kerry)

Ah, Sneem – a magnificent little corner of Kerry. For those that visit the Sneem Hotel, you can enjoy a tipple while soaking up the view of the magnificent MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.

Look at the view from the table in the photo above – it’d knock you on your arse! The Sneem Hotel is also one of the best places to stay in Ireland with a view!

16. The Blue Light Pub (Dublin)

You’ll find the Blue Light Pub at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, where it’s been keeping locals and weary travellers happy since around 1870.

Take your drink outside and sip away while you enjoy views out over the city and Dublin Bay. If you visit after dark, you’ll get a lovely view of a chunk of Dublin City lit up at night.

17. O’Sullivan’s Bar (Cork)

O’ Sullivan’s Bar can be found at the heart of the scenic village of Crookhaven, not far from Mizen Head, in breath-taking West Cork.

This pub overlooks the beautiful Crookhaven harbour so, when the weather is fine, you can savour a sup by the sea. If you visit, give Murphy’s Stout a lash, it’s brewed in Cork and it’s one of the tastier Irish beers out there.

18. The Curragower Bar (Limerick)

Our next scenic shpot takes us to County Limerick, to a pub on the banks of the River Shannon that’s said to do a serious feed.

As you can see from the slightly grainy snap above, the Curragower Bar offers brilliant views out over King John’s Castle. There’s also views of Curragower Falls and Limerick City Hall.

19. Causkeys Bar (Cork)

You’ll find Causkey’s in the colourful little village of Eyeries on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork (here’s loads more gorgeous little villages in Ireland).

Causkey’s offers mighty panoramic views of the magnificent Coulagh Bay and the Kenmare River from their lounge and beer garden. 

If you’ve never been to Eyeries, try and carve out a weekend to visit. It’s a lovely little village that’s ideal for anyone looking to switch off and explore some of the best scenery Ireland has to offer.

20. Monks of Ballyvaughan (Clare)

Next up is Monks in Ballyvaughan – a lovely little village in North Clare that’s a handy 1-hour drive from Galway City.

This is a seafood restaurant and bar, so you can grab a post-adventure feed (the reviews on Google are insane) first and then kick-back to views of Galway Bay after.

21. Spillane’s Bar (Kerry)

So, when we published this guide originally, I (unintentionally) left out several pubs with outrageously good views. Spillane’s was one of them. 

I struggled to find photos of the view from Spillane’s Bar in Castlegregory, but the photo above with the beer garden on the left should give you a good sense of what’s on offer.

Spillane’s is right next to the water and it treats those that chill in their beer garden to views out over the nearby mountains.

22. Lukers of Shannonbridge (Offaly)

You’ll find Lukers in Shannonbridge in County Offaly where it’s finely situated along the banks of the River Shannon.

This place dates back to 1757 and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Shannon, an old-school bridge (see above – no idea what these are called!) and the surrounding area.

I’ve heard from a fair few people that the food and the Guinness from Lukers are both top-notch.

23. Rosspoint Bar and Restaurant (Kerry)

We’re off to Glenbeigh in County Kerry next to the Rosspoint Bar and Restaurant. This place boasts views of the sea, the Dingle Peninsula, Inch Beach and the Slieve Mish Mountains.

If you fancy nipping in here, head for a stroll on nearby Rossbeigh Beach, first. When you finish up, wander in for a post-ramble pint with a view.

Check out our guide to the best things to do in Kerry for loads more things to do nearby (there’s a lovely hike that overlooks Rossbeigh that’s hard to bate!).

24. The Cliff House (Waterford)

If you read our guide to the most scenic hotels in Ireland, you’ll have already come across the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford.

The sea view you’ll be treated to here can be enjoyed from the warm waters of the spa or from the comfort of the hotel as you kick back with a drink or a coffee are out of this world.

Those of you that follow our guide to the best things to do in Waterford could easily make the Cliff House your base for a night or two.

25. Mulranny Park Hotel (Mayo)

Ok. I get that the thing in the photo above (I don’t know what it is but it looks class) isn’t a pint, but you get the drift. The Mulranny Park Hotel is perched on a site that overlooks Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick.

Those of you lucky enough to arrive on a sunny day can flake out in their outdoor seating area and admire the glorious view above. I’ve a friend that stayed here recently and apparently the views from the rooms are also quality.

26. The Glyde Inn (Louth)

The Glyde Inn is an award-winning traditional Irish pub that’s located by the sea in Annagassan in County Louth. 

The views from here are pretty damn special. Visitors to the Glyde can enjoy a bite to eat and a tipple while soaking up views of Dundalk Bay and the Mourne and Cooley mountains.

27. Gings Bar (Leitrim)

We’re off to the buzzy town of Carrick-on-Shannon next to a pub that boasts one of the best beer gardens in the land.

Gings Bar in Carrick-on-Shannon is located smack bang on the river. If you’re visiting the town for a weekend of hikes and pints, get yourself here (arrive early – it can be tricky to nab a seat when it’s sunny).

There’s also a traditional bar that you can nip into after when the sun drops and the evening gets chilly.

28. Cable O’Leary’s (Kerry)

Those of you that drive the Skellig Ring need to nip into Cable O’Leary’s. Now, you can’t get food here, but the last time that I visited there was a little chip van across the road.

You can (just double-check to make sure it’s still OK) grab a bag of chips and bring them into the pub.

Grab a pint (if you’ve a designated driver) and walk out to the back of the pub. It’s from here where you can enjoy the view above.

29. O’Carroll’s Cove Beach Bar (Kerry)

You’ll find O’Carroll’s Cove in Kerry, nestled between the villages of Caherdaniel and Castlecove on the Ring of Kerry.

The cove here is known for its gorgeous turquoise waters and beautiful beach, which you can admire from the outdoor seating area at O’Carroll’s.

I’ve heard from a few people that the cove here gets its fair share of Dolphins, so keep an eye out if you drop by.

What other pubs in Ireland are great for a scenic pint?

I feel like we’ve included a lot of spots from Kerry above.

If you know of somewhere else that’s worth adding, let me know in the comments section below and we’ll check it out!