O'Neills Victorian Pub & Townhouse

Popular with locals, the historic O’Neills
has been in the same family since 1885, in a building that dates to 1850 and served
as a hideout for Irish revolutionaries during the War of Independence. The lively,
well-cared-for pub manages Old-World charm without feeling dated. Outside, the pleasant period brick building is decorated with hanging flowers. The townhouse has its own entrance, and the low-key lobby and hallways have dark-blue carpet, simple white walls, and elegant white wooden banisters. Its numerous nooks and crannies -- including secluded side rooms and spots by open fires -- can be confusing for first-timers. Attractive
stained-glass windows complement an abundance of dark wood used throughout including in the
traditional bar. Framed prints, old-fashioned downlighting, and red leather
padded booth seats add to the ambience. The traditionally decorated breakfast room
features red walls, an attractive fireplace, and elegant terra-cotta-colored
floor tiling, plus gorgeous country-style kitchen fittings and original sash
windows.

On a busy
street corner in Dublin’s city center, O’Neills is located just across from the
rear entrance to Trinity College and a three-minute walk from Pearse Street’s
Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail station, with connections across
the city. The pub-hotel is next to a car rental office in an area full of local shops, restaurants and
hotels, as well as residential properties. O’Connell Street is an eight-minute
walk away, and it’s a 10-minute walk to the Temple Bar
nightlife area. For shopping, Grafton Street is a 10-minute walk away, while Dublin Castle is 12 minutes
away on foot. St. Stephen’s Green
is a 14-minute walk, and it’s under 15 minutes on foot to Bord Gais theater (or four minutes
by taxi). The Convention Centre Dublin is 16 minutes on foot. And 3Arena is a six-minute drive or
17-minute bus ride away, and it’s around eight minutes by car or DART to the Aviva Stadium. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is an eight-minute drive or
11-minute bus ride; the drive to the Guinness Storehouse is around
the same length. Dublin’s intercity bus
station is a nine-minute walk away, while it’s five minutes by taxi to Connolly mainline railway station. Dublin Port is an eight-minute drive
or 18-minute bus ride away, and Dublin Airport is 14 minutes away by cab or 34
minutes by bus.

Each of the
eight simple but comfortable and quiet rooms at O’Neills has individual design
touches. Standard Double Rooms have comfy beds against gray walls with framed
prints. Standalone white wooden bedside tables have elegant, if slightly
old-fashioned, lamps, attractive dressers in matching white wood, and navy carpeting. Standard Twin Rooms have less attractive
pine-wood furniture, but add charming Victorian fireplaces. Single Rooms, Triple Rooms (with three single beds) and Double/Single Rooms are also available, as is a Family Suite in another building across the road. The Family Room features a similar mix of period and contemporary style, and has three bedrooms (sleeping up to five) that share one bathroom. Decor on the whole
is slightly more contemporary than in the pub, but parts verge on dated, such as the blue-and-white floral curtains and matching padded seats. Some rooms are
also oddly shaped, which leaves them feeling a bit sparsely furnished. All rooms include individual heating and flat-screen TVs with cable, but they lack phones, safes, or
mini-fridges. There are also no in-room tea- and coffee-making facilities (though tea and coffee are available in the breakfast room). Irons and ironing boards
are available on request. Bathrooms are modern, with walk-in showers, hairdryers, and free toiletries, but the pale-brown brick-style wall tiling feels claustrophobic and doesn't match the vibe from the rest of the property. Rooms have street views, but they’re not particularly inspiring. Be aware, too, that there are plenty of steps to conquer on the way up to the rooms, which could prove a challenge for those with compromised mobility.

As a pub
with rooms, O’Neills offers few features. There’s a good full
Irish or continental breakfast, though it’s not included in rates; the
breakfast room is small, too, so some guests report having to book a slot in
advance. Free coffee- and tea-making facilities are also available in the
breakfast room 24/7. Traditional Irish fare is available cafeteria-style in the
pub for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a popular carvery. Food isn’t
served continuously throughout the day, though. There’s a lively atmosphere in the evening, with traditional
Irish music and dancing; the well-stocked bar offers a range of beers, wines
and spirits, and some tables have built-in self-service draught beer machines.
Free on-street parking is available in the evening and on Sundays and public
holidays, but charges apply at other times. There’s an Internet-connected computer that guests can
use, and reliable free Wi-Fi throughout the property.