Playing the wild rover: Some Irish pubs around the globe France has its Eiffel Tower, the U.S. its Statue of Liberty, but arguably the most iconic attraction in Ireland is that cathedral of conviviality, the Irish pub. The unique thing that this Irish institution has is that, unlike the others, it’s exportable, if you don’t count plaster-of-Paris imitations of Lady Liberty and the Eiffel Tower that really don’t do it for anyone. Since Irish pubs have found their way to all corners of the globe, I thought it might be helpful to provide a guide to some of the members of the genre in various countries. I won’t even bother talking about the U.S. or Australia, where you’ll have no difficulty finding an Irish emporium in a ten-minute walk in most cities. But Irish pubs have sprung up in many countries without large Irish populations as well, and following are some fine examples. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A country that calls itself “truly Asia” has one of the warmest Irish pubs in the globe, Delaney’s in Kuala Lumpur, located in the Federal Hotel. When I visited, a singer of mostly East Indian extraction named Sheila Isaac (her grandfather was Jewish) sang Irish ballads in a perfect brogue. At the bar you can chat about the experience of living abroad with Irish and Scottish ex-pats, who are mostly in the oil business. There are other Irish pubs in KL, including Finnegan’s which is more well-known. But if you find Delany’s, just a few blocks from the Shangri-La Hotel, you need go no further. Beijing, China – known as Beijing’s first Irish pub, Paddy O’Shea’s, in the Dong Cheng District near the New World Courtyard Marriott, has been serving up Guinness to Irish ex-pats doing business in Beijing for many years. Manila, The Philippines – Almost making up for the demise of The Craic, which was a victim of urban redevelopment, are Irish pubs that have three of Metro Manila’s busiest sections covered. Murphy’s serves an Irish ex-pat clientele in Makati, which is Manila’s financial district; Mulligan’s Authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant holds sway in the Paranaque, where the international airport is located; and Molly Malone’s keeps the fires burning in Ermita, Manila’s entertainment district.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 06:45:00 +0000
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