Ireland: Five of Dublin's most interesting pubs

The Brazen Head is Dublin's oldest pub, dating back to 1198. Photo / Creative Commons image by Flickr user Jim Nix

Raise your glasses to these drinking establishments, writes Megan Singleton.

Pubs are dotted all over Dublin and, to be honest, you won't find a bad one. But because time is of the essence when travelling and you're looking for something that's a little bit special, here are five to put on your list.

1. The Brazen Head

Ireland's oldest pub can be dated back to the year 1198. It's utterly gobsmacking to enter a building that is hundreds of years older than our nation. It was originally a coach house and now has a great reputation as one of Dublin's best Irish music venues. Oh, and the steak and Guinness Irish stew come highly recommended.

2. McDaids

For a rowdy vibe with no fiddle-de-dee toe-tapping live music but plenty of learned conversation and raucous laughter, head to McDaids. Proud of its literary heritage, it was once the watering hole of Brendan Behan, the notorious prisoner-turned-author, poet and playwright. This "no frills" pub is just off busy Grafton Rd in the heart of the shopping district.

3. The Dawson Lounge

Everyone likes to have a claim to fame and The Dawson Lounge is officially the smallest pub in Dublin. So small, in fact, that you could walk right past it. However, it serves the cheapest pint on the smartest street in the city, almost across the road from Mansion House. Bear in mind the call of nature might require you to duck your head as the bathroom ceiling is rather low.

4. Sinnotts Bar

After you've played the spoons with the buskers on Grafton St - really, I did - pop into Sinnotts for a pint. Located near St Stephen's Green, this pub is also famous for having been frequented by literary greats (James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats) but with 14 screens it's the place to go when a game is on. It also does a great lunchtime carvery.

5. Octagon Bar

For something entirely different, head to the Clarence Hotel, owned by Bono and The Edge, for swanky cocktails in this eight-sided bar. It sits on the same spot as the original hotel bar under an Art Deco glass dome. You can get a pint here, but you'd probably rather a cocktail, a fine whiskey or a brandy in the snug while discussing your musical taste.

Click here for Megan's five-day Dublin-Galway road trip itinerary.

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Getting there: Cathay Pacific offers airfares to Dublin, flying via Hong Kong and London.