If you like unusual addresses, then the Irish pub “John Kavanagh” (nicknamed “The Gravediggers”) should appeal to you. Located in Dublin, close to Glasnevin Cemetery, the establishment has been dispensing pints ever since it opened in 1833. Known to all Dubliners, the pub has the particularity of having remained in its original state: here, tradition dictates that singing and dancing are forbidden. There would never even have been a telephone or television on site. Strange? We explain why.
In Dublin, everyone knows John Kavanagh. Nicknamed “The Gravediggers” because of its proximity to Glasnevin Cemetery, this pub is one of a kind. Its many quirks make it original and unusual.
Firstly, because its owners have been striving to preserve it as it is since 1833. No modernization here. No TV, no phone… Just a counter with centuries of patina, some pumps on tap, a few tables, and an atmosphere steeped in history.
When it first opened, the Kavanagh family’s idea was to make it a no-frills drinking spot. The idea was just to sit at the counter, order a drink or two, chat with friends and leave.
That’s why the master of the house had the idea of forbidding singing and dancing… He wanted to create a special atmosphere, unlike any other pub in town.
That’s what makes it so original. But it doesn’t stop there.
Add to this the fact that the pub has its share of myths and ghost stories, as well as its own family history (the establishment has been handed down for 8 generations!) and you’ll understand that this is an Irish pub in its own right, picturesque and authentic!
For many years, the pub was also home to the gravediggers who worked in Glasnevin. The latter would come for a pint or two after a long night’s work burying the dead. Enough to fuel pub legends!
If you’re not afraid of ghosts, and want to step back in time to 1833, then don’t hesitate to push open the door of Gravediggers. Here you’ll discover a historic, traditional pub with a warm, friendly atmosphere.
The original counters are still there… although they’ve been moved back a few metres to accommodate more customers. Certain alcoves protected by wooden panels guarantee a little privacy for a drink with friends, or to read a book in seclusion… As for the floor, it hasn’t moved, and is entirely covered with dark beer and tobacco stains… So much so that the floor even blistered in places!
The venue has played host to such celebrities as The Dubliners, U2 and The Chieftains! But it’s impossible for them to play: the rule has been the same since 1833: Gravediggers is a place to drink… Not to sing or dance… or even to play music!
Forget traditional Irish music sessions: at Gravediggers, you’ll find originality, history and tradition… all centered on people, exchange and discussion. The base.
As for the service, it’s impeccable. The Kavanagh family, who have always owned the premises, work with a smile and a rare kindness. You’ll be treated to classic pub fare: beer, whiskeys, Irish coffee and other Irish specialities… not forgetting some of the highlights of the local cuisine. Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, mussels… A real treat in an authentic setting at a very reasonable price!
Although there’s no music, it’s easy to sit back and sip a pint. We find ourselves striking up conversations with strangers two tables away… Gravediggers is first and foremost a place of exchange and conviviality… with no frills.
A must for fans of unusual places steeped in history!
Last but not least, the pub is one of the attractions on the Gravediggers Ghost Bus Tour. This is a bus tour dedicated entirely to ghosts and other spooky tales. The tour takes place in the company of guides and actors, who will be delighted to tell you the pub’s darkest stories. You can even stop off on site. It’s the perfect way to discover the establishment in an original way!
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