About John Kavanagh (The Gravediggers)
If you're hunting the best pubs in Phibsborough, John Kavanagh, aka The Gravediggers, is your holy grail. Tucked away on Prospect Square right on the Phibsborough-Glasnevin border, this 1836 gem is Dublin's most iconic traditional pub. Named for the gravediggers from nearby Glasnevin Cemetery who'd slake their thirst here after shifts, it still pours legendary Guinness straight from the cellar via gravity , no pumps, just pure, velvety perfection. The tiny, snug interior reeks of history: dark wood panelling, coal fire crackling, and locals nursing pints while swapping yarns about the old days.
What to Expect
Settle into one of the horsehair benches for a pint that settles like silk , it's often called Dublin's best Guinness. No music, no TVs, just the murmur of conversation and the hiss of settling stout. Food? Simple but sublime: hearty sandwiches, oysters in season, and cheese platters delivered from next door. It's tiny, so queues form fast, especially weekends. The crowd's pure Dublin , families, historians, and pub purists , with a whiff of cemetery tales adding eerie charm. Open since Queen Victoria's reign, it's unchanged, preserving Phibsborough's Victorian soul.
Insider Tips
Go mid-afternoon to avoid the rush; order a 'half and half' (Guinness and whiskey). Pair your pint with doorstep sandwiches , the ham is melt-in-mouth. Chat up the staff for ghost stories; the pub's reputedly haunted by a friendly monk. It's a brisk walk from Croke Park, perfect post-match. For a Phibsborough pub crawl, follow with The Back Page. No website, no frills , that's the magic. In a city of flash bars, The Gravediggers is timeless, a must for your 10 days in Dublin itinerary.
This unpretentious haven captures Phibsborough's authentic, no-nonsense pub culture like nowhere else.