Tales from Dublin Pubs: The Chancery Inn (O'Reilly Bros) of Inns Quay
Miscellaneous gang of drinking types
On a good day this seemingly foreboding haunt is in fact a source of warmth and welcome. A rare quayside pub with a bleak band of militant raw-boned smoking sentinels offering up plumes of smoke and gawking ever downward, perhaps contemplating Plato, perhaps counting cigarette butts, who’s to know?
Once past the gate you’ll find a spacious surrounding. It’s a dark place in winter but positively luminous in summer with its stained-glass windows putting on a glowing show. Many of its patrons are childhood friends with each other and you’ll find a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere. One should note: unfortunately this is a Liverpool pub, fashion, artwork and public broadcasts usually reflect this. A young barman, neurotically conscientious, is wont to waiting for a smelly patron to rise and relieve himself before spraying the seat with an aerosol vaporiser. Which stink is more offensive? You decide!
We were once treated to a series of incidents which unfolded like a Beckett play. An older woman, fond of vodka and bound to a wheelchair was en-route to continue her daily toilet. The lady’s lavatory is wheelchair unfriendly so it was implicitly understood by all present comrades that an immediate suspension of the men’s room was in place. After the cheerful lady was brought through, the largest of the men stood guard at the door with his arms resolutely folded. A curious silence was observed throughout the house in her absence. On her return the atmosphere changed entirely and there was a communal celebration with many bursting into song. Perhaps it was an ‘in’ joke and we were left out. Nevertheless, dancing ensued and the lady was spun around in her chair. The merriments continued and even the barman joined in shouting “Swan Lake!” Outside, a heavy pour of fat rain pelted down and around and soaked and sounded precisely like a rapturous applause.
Take a chance on the Chancery Inn, it’s a pub most worthy of a visit to see what will unfold. On our last visit a ‘For Sale’ sign had been affixed to the exterior; hopefully new management will keep its charisma.
Tipplers Tip: seating is best at the front of house where it’s irradiated and sociable, the darker back area is loud and modern music farts through a sorry set of crackling speakers. The Chancery Inn is the proud owner of an ‘early-house’ licence and serves alcohol from 7:30am. To celebrate this fact, a quaint painted sign over the main door depicts a cock at sunrise with a Guinness in the foreground and all of Dublin city as the backdrop.
Illustrations by Sam Coll
