Despite its central location, The Blarney Stone is far from being another run-of-the-mill Irish bar. The mixture of tourists, locals and expat building workers has blended together to create a strangely welcoming environment. It is well worth popping in for a pint and to watch some sports.

A cosy bar in the heart of the Leidseplein district, Dan Murphy's is a great place to meet people and watch sports.

Housed in a charming wooden-beamed canal house dating from 1657, along a narrow walkway just off the Zeedijk, Molly Malone's is a hidden treasure as far as Irish bars go. The staff is musical; song and music could break out at any moment. Unless there's an important match on the big screen, of course.

Size isn't everything. Mulligans is truly a little piece of Ireland. It is perhaps the most authentic Irish bar in town, with regular live music and plenty of friendly faces.  There is an open Irish session every Sunday in which musicians are welcome to join. The second Monday of every month, the MacSuibhne Dancers have a set dancing session with live music, in which both beginners and experts are invited to participate. And naturally there is more Irish beer and whiskey than you could shake a stick at.

O'Donnell's is one of the larger 'pub-style' Irish bars in town. Huge indside with an impressively long bar, it's particularly popular with an expat crowd as well as Dutch locals, and for major sporting events (shown on a large screen). 

Since the first Kilkenny was poured on St Patrick's Day 1994, O'Reilly's has been a luxurious haven from the outside world, smack in the middle of Amsterdam. It is within walking distance of Centraal Station, Madam Tussaud's and Dam palace, the main shopping district, and just about everywhere else. But a bar has to offer a lot more than just location and O'Reilly's certainly delivers. The interior is tastefully modelled on the best type of Dublin bar, giving it a cosy, yet spacious atmosphere. The emphasis is on relaxation, with three special areas – snug, library and balcony – available for functions, parties or a quiet chat over a pint with friends.  For sports lovers, there are two big screens with surround sound and other TVs providing extensive coverage of football, rugby, Gaelic sports and more. Hungry? The kitchen serves a wide selection of delicious, large portioned dishes at reasonable prices. The menus are seasonal so prepare to be surprised. But what really makes a bar stand out is the staff. O'Reilly's says it is committed to hospitality, quality and service — a promise the friendly and helpful staff seems to have taken to heart. What more could you want?

The Tara is another gem. A family-owned business opened in May 1995, the spacious bar runs from the Rokin on one side right through to the charming theatre street, the Nes. Though large by any standard, it manages to retain the character of the Dutch buildings it occupies. The place has become a natural meeting place not just for the arty crowd but also for people looking to unwind after work.

Just five minutes from the Leidseplein and a short walk from the Rijksmuseum, the Tig Barra (translated as 'Barry's House') offers a welcome rest stop to anyone in search of sports, live Irish music and a decent pint. The corner of the Overtoom doesn't look very inviting but be bold and venture forth: Barra is a second home you won't want to leave.

Tel: 023 532 66 10
Website: www.wsobrien.nl

Long and spacious, with sunlight slanting in during daytime, O'Brien's is a comfortably rowdy choice if you want the option of anonymity in a crowd. Food, live music and live sports on TV are all on offer, and there's a pub quiz on Mondays.

The Shillelaigh is a little Irish pub with a big heart: Well placed, in an area with plenty of fine restaurants, this small and cosy local is said to be the first Irish pub in the Netherlands. It is also a nerve centre for the Irish expat community.

An authentic Irish Pub that serves typical, high quality traditional Irish food. The pub regularly organises live music, shows and other events.

Murphy's Maastricht Irish Pub is located at the Vrijthof, one of the most beautiful squares in the Netherlands. The beers on draught are Murphy's Irish Stout and Murphy's Irish Red. 

 

Rotterdam

Murphy's has a mainly Irish staff. Its range of whiskey is even greater than that of its beer, and with real Irish pub food, it's a popular venue for pub lunches. There's music every night, with bands on Friday and Saturday.

Clancy's is no run of the mill Irish pub, with three bars under one roof. The POD is a live music and party venue, and possibly the best place in the city to watch big sporting events, with a capacity of around 200 people. The Three Swallows is the whisk(e)y bar, boasting over 230 whiskies from all over the world. Regular and group tastings are held. Clancy's is the main bar, serving food and around 30 beers from around the world. It shows live football from the UK, Spain and Italy, the UEFA Cup, Champion's League and international football, NFL, NBA, ice hockey, rugby union, rugby league, cricket, Aussie rules football, GAA etc.

Mick's, an Irish-owned pub, has a loyal expat and student clientele. The drink flows freely and the menu includes fish and chips. Yummy.

Lots of Irish regulars and two big-screen TVs.