The decor is a bit plain and there’s only one TV in the pub (important during World Cup season) but at €2.50 for a pint of fosters (all day, every day) I was not one to complain. Especially as I’ve acquired a certain taste for Fosters after two years studying and working in Belfield.
It is I believe the cheapest pint in Dublin County. (Guiness stands at a very reasonable €3.80)
This is a picture of a pint of Fosters.
Situated behind the Kilmacud Luas Stop and accessible via Sandyford Industrial Estate, St. Olaf’s is your standard, essential GAA club which plays a vital part in the local community. (My circle of friends who play GAA are nearly equally divided up between Kilmacud Crokes, St. Olaf’s (Sandyford) and St. John’s Ballinter. I’m not one to pick sides.)
As the four of us walked in Thursday night, we had the whole bar to ourselves and settled down in our seats just as the Denmark – Japan game kicked off on the (one and only) television. Perfect timing. My old school mate DMurray got the first round. Four pints for a tenner. What a feeling. (He also bought a packet of King crisps, bacon fries and peanuts, opened them up and mixed them altogether. A dangerous and very salty mix)
The bar steadily filled up with a gangs of parents and kids arriving after a school play which was being held in the hall downstairs. Beer mats went flying, coke bottles knocked off tables and crisps crushed into the carpet as a crowd of toddlers ran riot through the pub.
Entrance to St. Olaf's GAA Club.
Another round later and with the final whistle blown in the game, we decided to have our own half time and went off to get some food (and some peace and quiet) The recently opened Pizza Hut in the ‘Beacon South Quarter’ five minutes away seemed happy to have our custom. (€10 for a 9″ pizza with two toppings, a side (garlic bread, chips or wedges), garlic & herb dip and a can). Tasty, cheap but hard to go back on the larger afterwards.
We arrived back into a much darker, much nicer child-free pub. A group of men in the corner played dominoes while three club members at another table were sorting out the monthly community lotto. DMurray spotted his dad having a quiet ones with some of his own friends at the bar. I see the barman, as he collects glasses from the floor, stop what he’s doing and have a conversation with an elderly female customer (Well how-are-ya getting on Mrs. Smith?). Its that kind of pub.
I may even try my luck at their next (monthly) Texas Hold ‘Em competition.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 