Information Density: Devitts of Camden Street – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

Devitt’s, your traditional Irish pub in the heart of Dublin city centre.
Pop in for a bite from our home cooked menu (available 7 days until late), sip a pint of the black stuff, or take in one of our Irish trad and live music sessions, on 7 days a week.
Delicious homemade food served every day until late
Live music sessions 7 days a week. Come on down!

[H2] About Devitt’s
Devitt’s is a long-established traditional Irish pub located on Camden Street, in easy walking distance of Dublin city centre. Close to all amenities and only a 10-minute walk to the centre, Devitt’s caters to customers of all ages, from all corners of the globe.
We serve a wide range of drinks, including (we think!) the best pint of Guinness in Dublin, other local beers such as Liberties Dublin Ale, Five Lamps Dublin Lager and Franciscan Well Rebel Red Ale from Cork, plus of course a typically fully-stocked bar.
We have an extensive gin menu, including some world-class Irish gins such as Hendrick’s and Gunpowder, and a huge selection of Irish whiskies including Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Paddy, Method & Madness, Midleton, Green Spot and Yellow Spot.
We serve a great selection of homemade traditional Irish food 7 days a week, with our famous toasties available all day, every day.
Looking for the authentic Irish sound? We hold our incredibly popular Irish trad music sessions 7 days a week.
We operate a walk-in/first-come-first-served basis during peak busy times. However we do have reserved areas available at certain quieter times, so please get in touch with your enquiry.

[H2] It’s not just about the Guinness
This area, which was originally known as Kevin’s Port in close proximity to St. Kevin’s Gate, was an ancient medieval gateway to the City of Dublin. There was been commercial activity conducted on this site – 78 Lower Camden Street – for over 200 years. A shrewd lady named Mrs. O’Neill operated a thriving lodging house business here in the 1850s and 60s during the growth period connected with the advent of rail travel. In the mid 60s Mrs. O’Neill sold the business to James White, Organ Builder, whose business was associated with the boom in church building.
First Licence November 1871
In the summer of 1871 no. 78 came on the market as James White was moving into the city centre, and Christopher C. Clinch, who previously traded from no. 92 (Ryan’s), acquired this property as a licensed premises. It appears Christopher Clinch was attracted here primarily because it was a better source of business than no. 92 as a consequence of the fact that Pleasants Street was then a designated trades area. Additionally this location afforded Mr. Clinch greater access to the more prosperous Victorian citizens who lived on Upper Camden Street and the surrounding streets.
In the spring of 1872 the name Christopher Clinch, Tea, Wine & Spirit Merchant, was prominently displayed above the door here. Christopher had strong competition on the corner opposite (no. 77) from George Mordant, a very successful Dublin publican. Next door to George was the Pleasants Asylum for elderly disoriented ladies. In the following decade Christopher Clinch grew his business year on year, attracting a more affluent Victorian residential trade as his premises also stocked fine teas, coffee, snuff, semolina and other grocery items. Frequently the No. 33 Rathmines Horse Tram brought added business to his door.
Christopher Clinch Moves On
In 1884 Michael Cusack – a name that would later be associated with this house – was busily founding the GAA in Thurles when Christopher Clinch decided to take his profit and move on. In that year Christopher sold out to Tipperary publican, Andrew C. Ryan. Andrew was scarcely in the front door when a new neighbour of considerable financial repute moved in next door to him – the Ulster Bank. The Victorian neighbourhood liked what they saw, and they also liked to pop into Andrew Ryan’s for the odd potion of gin or Irish whiskey.
Camden Street was now in popular demand as a most elegant Victorian community with great resources and facilities at their fingertips. Around this time also the St. Louis American Flour Mills commenced trading next door to the Ulster Bank (no. 81). George Mordant of no. 77 had by now moved on to that great emporium in the heavens, and his wife, the Widow Mordant ran the premises. These were good times for Andrew Ryan as the upper end of Lower Camden traded far more prosperously than the Wexford Street end.
The Arrival of Patrick Ryan
By the late 1880s the affluence of middle class Victorian Dublin had made Camden Street one of the most popular and profitable thoroughfares. It was at the zenith of its power. The Rathmines Horse Tram had now been replaced by the electric tram, which ran back and forth past the premises every few minutes, bringing with it custom and good fortune. At that time, there were many Dublin publicans enviously eyeing Andrew Ryan’s pub and making overtures for him to depart. In the summer of 1890 the name Patrick Ryan, Tea, Wine and Spirit Merchant, was seen above the door for the first time. Patrick was a most seasoned and respected Dublin publican, who additionally ran a thriving pub business at 110 Thomas Street. No. 110 Thomas Street was a famous pub in the heritage of the Dublin licensed trade in that this house was the launching pad of James and John Power, and the original home of Powers Whiskey in early 1800s. In moving to 78 Lower Camden Street, Patrick Ryan would interweave the history of Powers Irish Whiskey with this premises.
But Patrick Ryan knew what to do when he got his feet inside the door. His first action was to commission a stylish Victorian pub renovation complete with imported mahogany from Africa, stained glass mirrors, brass fittings and state of the art darkwood chests to hold and better preserve his teas, coffees and other items. Immediately the turnover and patronage increased and this became one of the most popular pubs in Dublin’s south city. Patrick Ryan enjoyed the financial spin off here in the early 90s but felt it was best to sell on when things were going well.
Thomas J. Keogh
By the winter of 1894 another respected Dublin publican, Thomas J. Keogh, was pulling the pints here and enjoying the magnificent trade along this thoroughfare. By now the Camden Markets were bringing a busy day trade and these streets were populated by some of Ireland’s most distinguished businessmen. Just down the way at no. 24 Wexford Street was the business of William Ruddell’s Cigar, Snuff and Tobacco Manufacturing business. Ruddell, famous for his pipe tobacco, also had outlets at 147-148 Francis Street and no. 134 James’s Street. He additionally developed a major tobacco business in Liverpool. Perhaps Thomas J. Keogh paid too much for this premises in 1894 because he had moved on within five years, selling out to Joseph Leech in 1899.
Joseph and Peter Leech
When Joseph Leech arrived here in 1899, he had identified this oasis as the place to live out his golden years but by 1902 he had passed on to be succeeded by his son Peter, who would remain here for the long haul. In many respects Peter had landed on his feet in taking the reins here. Dublin was then the second city of the British Empire and prosperity seemed all about. Camden Street was thriving although the local citizenry were not enamoured by the amount of street traders who, in their eyes, were soiling their splendid neighbourhood.
In the Joycean Dublin of 1904, when Joyce was himself ejected from Camden Hall for looking up the skirts of a leading opera singer, Peter Leech was busy pulling the pints of this affluent Victorian pub that had a strict admission policy. Joyce was an inveterate imbiber but it’s unlikely that Peter Leech would have tolerated his eccentric behaviour very long. There was great commotion here in the following years when no. 34, which had been vacated by the Camden Street Theatre, was now leased by the militant Countess Markievicz, who used it as a drilling centre for Ireland’s boy scouts.
World War, Independence and Economic Slump
Leading up to World War 1 Camden Street was one of the most prosperous and popular streets of Dublin. Next door was the ever-present Ulster Bank, and down the way was the fashionable Theatre De Luxe that attracted all the latest acts from London. Few would have envisaged that all would change utterly with the outbreak of war. In 1914 the Great War commenced and countless thousands of Dubliners marched away to the trenches creating an economic vacuum that was felt throughout the Dublin licensed trade. Rations followed and supplies of beer and spirits were restricted creating great financial distress.
In Easter 1916 Camden Street ground to a halt during the fighting as British troops were advancing from Portobello Barracks. All the pubs were closed for a week and local resident, Councillor Richard O’Carroll, who lived up the street at no. 67, was cruelly murdered by Captain Bowen-Colthurst. Following the War of Independence and the establishment of the Irish Free State, the licensed trade stumbled into a deep economic slump as the infant state was starved of capital. Joseph Leech, who witnessed unprecedented change in his lifetime, remained here until 1943 when he was relieved by Jeremiah Aherne.
Olympic Ballroom and Street Traders
Times were economically challenging when Jeremiah Aherne made his debut here in 1943. Blackouts and rationing were the order of the day. But Camden Street fared better than most in these years in that the markets brought great crowds at weekends. But soon a new venture that commenced life as a skating rink would become the economic saviour of Jeremiah Aherne’s Bar.
The Olympic Ballroom came into prominence in 1950s as all of Ireland flocked to the “ballrooms of romance.” No. 78 was the prime feeder for the Olympic Ballroom as Ireland’s males sought liquid courage before advancing for the dancing fray. This house literally did a roaring trade in Baby Powers and naggins as no alcohol was sold in the Olympic, but the wily punters concealed them past the doormen. There are many anecdotes surviving of ‘Lugs Brannigan,’ the legendary law enforcing guard, standing on the opposite corner observing the clientele leaving this pub and going into the Olympic Ballroom.
The street traders were always a thirsty lot and this pub became one of Dublin’s Singing Pubs for a time in the 50s and 60s. Amongst the clientele who frequented this house were the Behan family, and the young Brendan Behan unleashed many a ballad here.
Willie Devitt and the Cusack Stand
In the late 70s Willie Devitt relieved Jeremiah Aherne from his long years of toil. Limerick-man Willie ran a very respectable and responsible premises here for many years that enjoyed great patronage from Ireland’s Gaelic games community – especially hurling. The walls of Devitt’s became and remain a veritable reference archive to the great moments of hurling. All the epic games and players are featured here.
The Arrival of the Mangan Brothers
In 2016 Paul and Eoghan Mangan took possession of this great watering hole and have since utterly transformed the premises in the traditional idiom while enhancing the character, ambiance and appeal of this house.

[H2] Irish Gastronomy
Devitt’s of Camden Street is a traditional Irish pub in Dublin city centre and we pride ourselves on offering a full food menu where we endeavour to provide the best of freshly prepared local produce in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We offer Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week.
BREAKFAST
10:00 – 12:00 Mon – Sun
LUNCH
12:00 – 14:30 Mon – Fri
A LA CARTE
14:30 – 21:00 Mon – Fri
12:00 – 21:00 Sat, Sun & bank Holidays
[H3] Download our menus:
Breakfast
Lunch
A la Carte
Function Food

[H2] Foot Tapping Goodness
[H5] 7 days a week (Upstairs at Devitt’s)
Traditional Irish music sessions in central Dublin are fast becoming a thing of the past, and the total number of pubs offering Trad is now in single figures.
Music sessions in Devitt’s have an authenticity you won’t come by in other pubs; that could be down to the locals taking part and joining in, and at times the whole pub singing together, to both Trad and more contemporary songs.
** We also have our famous OPEN TRAD SESSION every Sunday at 2:00pm. **
ALL MUSICIANS WELCOME!
Come on down!
[H3] MUSIC SESSIONS & TIMES
MONDAY to THURSDAY
6.30pm until close
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
7.30pm until close
SUNDAY
2.00pm until close
(includes open trad session at 2pm)
(No cover charge)

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