And we sent Daddy’s Little Girl and her beau off to Dublin with this local knowledge… roysh, here’s where ledges toast Irish rugby.
Straight from Ross O’Carroll-Kelly’s mouth, the greatest player Ireland never picked (but still has his boots laced).
The cult hero of the Paul Howard books, Ross, of course, takes a passport with him.
When he leaves D4, the home of Leinster and the national team.
It’s Ross, ye Ken
And he helpfully wrote a manual to help visitors to D4, South Dublin How to get by on, like €10,000 a day.
Which was close to the mark in the Celtic Tiger days at the start of my 13-year stint working in Ballsbridge.
Along the road from the Aviva Stadium, or Lansdowne Road in old money.
Now Ireland’s standing in the game has changed since I were a lad and they were easy-beats.
Now you’d have to go back to 2010 for the Jocks’ last victory in Dublin.
When Ross and his Castlerock alumni started the proceedings early in Kiely’s.
And where a plaque was erected in the loo to Ross.
Which read: ‘This plaque has been erected in honour of Ross O’Carroll Kelly who hit and missed here for many years.’
A Mecca for the Boys in Green, it has alas given way to regress, housing, two years ago.
Ballsbridge bar crawl
Back when Ross was splashing €10k a day in the Celtic Tiger Days he and his dodgy sheepskin-coated dad would hold fort in the Ice Bar.
In the institution that is the InterCon where all the rock stars (and me) go when they are playing the RDS.
Now Ross drinks his Ken (short for Heineken) in the Bridge (or Bridge 1859), formerly Bellamy’s.
Down the steps from Embassy House where I worked and the Herbert Park Hotel.
The Bridge is owned by D4 rugby royalty, Jamie Heaslip, Rob and Dave Kearney, Sean O’Brien and businessman Noel Anderson.
And if you’re fortunate you’ll bump into them although hopefully not literally as you’ll bounce right back.
Now, if you find yourself forced out onto the street, or you want the crawl then Paddy Cullen’s/Mary Mac’s may be your next stop.
Local artworks, caricatures, sporting memorabilia and hunting pictures line the wood-panelled walls and onto the ceiling.
All of which make you feel like you’re one of those ledges.
Horses of courses
The Horse Show House Bar, further along Merrion Road, is the biggest in the area and boasts a beer garden and the best barbies.
With most importantly a killer big screen for the game.
Its name is a nod to the Royal Dublin Showground, the RDS, where Leinster play their home games.
Searsons, on Upper Baggot Street is reputed to pour the best Guinness in Dublin (whisper that around Ross).
And this being Dublin, Roaring Bay Mussels, alive, alive-o.
In white wine cream with toasted sourdough.
Plain and simple
Of course, it would be remiss not to mention my cousins’ bar.
Workshop Bistro (formerly Kennedy’s Bar) on the Liffey, next to Tara Street Station.
Which though not South Dublin does sell the best Guinness, or plain, in Dublin.
So roysh, here’s where ledges toast Irish rugby.
