Sean’s Blog

Sean’s Bar is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest extant public house in Ireland (Credit: Mike MacEacheran)

Sean's Bar has welcomed travel writers from all around the world over the past few decades, from the Lonely Planet to Business Insider.

Sean's Bar was delighted to launch its second whiskey expression "Clonmacnoise" at the WSWA convention at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando Florida on April 2nd 2019.

Sean's Bar picks up award for Pub of the Year at the Irish Restaurant Awards

Described by Prof G.T Stokes as a " stiff old puritan of the Baptist persuasion from Kilbeggan or thereabouts, gifted with a good deal of that strong facility of hatred which puritans at times could display" John Booth was indeed a very interesting and prominent business man in Athlone.

In more recent years visitors to Sean's began to ask questions about what people used to drink in pubs years ago.

Sean's Bar was formally known as " The Three Blackamoor Heads" and undoubtedly the most famous proprietor of the pub was Mark Begg who held the Inn in 1736. Mr Begg inaugurated the first stage coach service from Athlone to Dublin.

Sean's Irish Whiskey Company is now a verified member of Origin Green Sustainability Programme having received its certificate from Bord Bia.

Whiskey Live Dublin took place on Saturday 25th November at Dublin Castle on Dame Street where Sean's Irish Whiskey Co participated in its first whiskey event since its launch in August 2017.

The annual Christmas Carols night in Sean's will take place on Sunday December 17th. Always a special night in Sean's, this year’s event will be no different.

We are delighted to announce that our daily tour and historical talk at Sean's bar will continue throughout the winter months and into next season. Hosted by Timmy Donovan of Sean's bar, visitors will be welcomed by the open turf fire place and given a detailed history of the pub dating right back to 900 AD. Daily tour starts at 11am.

To celebrate the launch of Sean's bar Specially Blended Irish Whiskey we are delighted to announce that we have added a new T- Shirt to our merchandise collection. The T-Shirt is light grey with the logo in black. The reaction from visitors has been very positive to date.

Following on from the very successful launch of our specially blended Irish whiskey, Sean's bar is delighted to announce that we have teamed up with Midlands Whiskey Experiences to offer this unique opportunity to learn about the history of whiskey in the Midlands and to taste a variety of whiskeys all produced in the region.

CNN's 'Great Big Story' production team arrive into Sean's bar and interview Timmy as part of their investigation into the World's oldest pub. The video is due to be aired later this year.

With over a thousand years of history we at Sean's bar have decided it was time we launched our own whiskey range. Our first is a specially blended whiskey, matured in bourbon casks and is now available to buy by the shot or by the bottle at the bar.

Sean's bar was delighted to host Today FM's Dermot & Dave show on Friday April 7th. The comedic duo were in Athlone as part of their national tour.

Sean's bar and Savoury Fare Food Company launched their 2017 BBQ season on Thursday March 30th.

Learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness at the home of Ireland's oldest pub. The six-step ritual's as legendary as the beer itself - from the 119.5 seconds it takes to pour to the iconic surge and eventual settle.

With a history dating back over 1100 years, Athlone strategically has always been a very important location on the River Shannon. Situated in the very heart of Ireland with Lough Ree to the north and the waters impassible to the south until Clonmacnoise, the Ford at Athlone was the only crossing point for miles. So where did the name Athlone originate from?

February saw the opening of the Boathouse bar at Sean's - an amazing and spectacular meeting place with a fantastic view of the river Shannon.