The most fun I had during my two-week stay in Ireland. As a solo traveler going into a bar alone can be great or a disaster. The bar staff are the absolute best! The patrons are just as lovely. This pub is the area's melting pot and is guaranteed to make you smile. When I left, the man tending security and the door noticed me taking a photo of the sign and quickly offered to take a picture of me in front of it. That was super sweet and thoughtful. When traveling alone, I do not want to burden people by asking them to take a photo of me, and some memories are missed. I'm so glad he offered ❤️ Thanks for the delicious pints, the good company, and for the memories that will last a lifetime.

My now-husband and I have moved all around the US and have complicated families located all over the states. When we decided to get married, we spent almost 4 years engaged because we just couldn't decide how to get married - should it be a big wedding, small, in what state, in what place? Should it be camping, or a big fancy expensive hotel thing, or on a beach, in our yard, where my parents were married, or what? In a moment of exasperation, I suggested to him "what if we just go to Ireland and have a toast with some friends in a 1,000 year old pub with a few close friends?" He said that's the best idea yet. Neither of us had ever been off the continent, so this was a big deal for us. So we looked online and quickly found Sean's Bar, and followed through. Weddings in Ireland require 2 visits, so we just opted for a legal ceremony (easier for most our family too) in a courthouse, but this is really what we wanted. We didn't tell anyone at the bar about this, figured they probably heard stories like this all the time/wouldn't care and also we didn't want to make a fuss, but man, it was perfect for us. We came early afternoon mid-week so it was not too busy, and were able to have a great conversation at a little table by a window in a moment that meant something to us for many reasons. Staff were very nice and the beer was perfectly poured. Their whiskey is indeed very good - I bought a bottle and brought it back home with me. Thank you Sean's Bar for living up to the hype, we truly appreciated the experience and will be back as soon as we can.

BEST BAR IN THE WORLD! I loved it!!! It was worth it to plan my road trip from Ballina to Dublin on this route just to visit this old bar. The place is super cozy, with perfect music and volume, a fireplace with a fantastic smell, low lights, and good selections of drinks. It was just the perfect place! They have their own selection of Sean’s licors

We had a pint at Sean’s the other day. Timmy was there and gave us a 20 min review of how Sean’s came to be and, some history of Irish Whiskey. He is a hoot!! The bar is pretty cool, lots of tables, stools, and places to sit. Beer was ice cold and the Irish coffee was delicious.

There was no way that I was going to Ireland without having a pint at the oldest pub in Ireland and probably the world! Literally my only requirement on our schedule :-D Was not disappointed! The atmosphere is awesome, the service was great, the staff is very friendly and happy to share the history of Sean's. My only regret is that, in my revelry at having a pint in the same pub as Vikings probably had a drink, I forgot to ask about getting my Guinness perfect pour certificate. Oh well, I guess I have to come back! :-)

A must visit if you enjoy pubs and are in the area. My parents took us here as it was the oldest pub in Ireland and it is an amazing place. Lots of history with a nice vibe and a really nice range of tasty drinks. They don't serve food but all you need is a liquid lunch. Staff are very friendly and they also offer some nice memorabilia.

It’s the world’s oldest bar dating back to 900AD😳. This was an hour and a half from Dublin but worth the trip. Very nice bar staff and a totally unique atmosphere. Drink prices are reasonable so I was able to try different local offerings. I recommend this as an addition to any itinerary…

Incredible place to visit, the history here is amazing. The current owner came to our table and gave us a breakdown of the history of the place, and the origin of whisky. He was so passionate about what he does, how the bar got to where it is today, the struggles that it went through, and all of the records that verify it is the oldest bar in the world. The seating areas were cozy, the bathrooms clean, and there was a beautiful, covered, outside sitting area. One interesting thing is that the floors are sloped at a somewhat aggressive angle (well for a floor at least), from the front to the back. This was a solution to flooding when the bar was built back in 900 AD and it makes for an interesting sensation when you walk around. Wheelchairs and those with poor balance should not have a problem, though I would lock the wheels on a wheelchair and sit down if you have poor balance. All of this just adds to the charm of the place. The staff are all amazing, and any of them will be happy to help you with a smile on their face. Truly one of the coolest establishments I visited in Ireland. Guinness factory has nothing on this.

A must visit just because it was founded around 900AD. The pub hasn't served food in over 40 years so expect a liquid diet if hungry. The space is much bigger than expected if you count the back rooms. Good selection of beers

A fun place to visit while you stop in Althone. The bartenders and managers were very nice to the tourists who were lined up to enter and take photos, enjoy a pint, and buy some merchandise. The bar is deceivingly small in the front but has a huge back/outdoor area to relax in as well. The drinks are made well and the bartenders know how to have a good bit of fun.

I was excited to be able to say that I went to the world's oldest pub when I visited a few years back. The beer was good, the environment and atmosphere was exactly what I was hoping for - just a great time. I'm very excited to say that I'll be bringing my extended family back to Athlone in a few weeks to see Sean's again and have a pint (or a few more). Not only is it a great pub, it's also history. Highly recommend anyone visiting Ireland take a stop in Athlone for the town and for Sean's. I don't need to recommend it to the locals. They already know.

One not to be missed in Athlone. Located right in the middle of castle street Athlone and is surrounded by other bars / restaurants. But this one stands out for good reasons. Great range indoor, outdoor and even outdoor covered areas so it has somewhere for everybody. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly which added to our experience. The drinks were also great (Great pints of Guinness!) and food was unbelievable! The menu is a pub grub styled menu which is offered and serviced by a side business. Fantastic experience in Sean's bar and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great bar / food. 👍

Great historic Irish Pub in the heart of Athlone. Warm fire made it refreshingly cozy on a cold ‘Irish weather’ day. Chatty Ryan was awesome! If you’re coming from Galway bring him a burrito!! Wife’s input: “Amazingly clean women’s bathroom.” (she included photo proof)

Traveled to the town of Athlone specifically for this bar and I was not let down! It's the oldest bar in the world and has all of the charm and warmth you'd expect. My gf and I were greeted by a fire going in a dimly lit, cozy pub. The owner told us all about the history and lore of the place. The whiskey was very good and their beer was not too bad either! Definitely worth a visit and definitely somewhere I'll never forget visiting!

Can't say i wasn't impressed. I don't drink but went with friends. Really enjoyed my time there. Super awesome place. And the host, he is 'out of this world' kind of awesome.

The oldest pub in Ireland, such a wonderful place! Really nice snug inside, lovely chimney, big smoking area at the back and life music. Irish traditional atmosphere!

Misleadingly small from the outside this bar extends much further to the rear and indeed even further back in time. Proven to be Ireland's oldest bar, this establishment is steeped in culture and history dating back to before your own earliest genealogical records. With memorabilia strewn throughout, there are plenty of original artifacts and records on the walls and in the minds of the highly knowledgeable bar crew. This is not just a bar but a time capsule positioned in the centre of a trading haven for early merchants and military. There is no other bar in Ireland that has a castle protecting it. And worthy of note, the Guinness is extraordinary. One of my favourite Irish bars by far.

Stopped in on the way back to Dublin. Bartenders loved sharing stories of the bar, the city, and their love of the area. Service was excellent and they allowed us behind the bar for a picture. Fantastic, historical stop while in the area.

Great piece of history and conversation starter. The pub is bigger than what I expected and full of memorabilia. We were lucky to get there before hundreds of tourists poured in from multiple buses stopping there for a visit.

To start, they do not serve food. Just liquid refreshment and character... tons of character! Staff was a blast! Super friendly. We asked to get a picture behind the bar and they said YES! Made my venture. We went out of our way to be there and it was worth it 1000% Definitely recommend for anyone going through Athlone. Tons of history inside.

Sean's Bar in Ireland is a true Irish experience . It's renowned as the oldest pubs in Ireland, and its rich history is evident in the cozy, traditional atmosphere. The friendly staff, live music, and the warm, inviting ambiance make it a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Irish pub experience. Can’t wait to visit again in the future!!

My husband wanted to stop here as soon as we were planning our trip to Ireland. As it got closer I was afraid we’d have to skip this place since it wasn’t on our route, but we made a detour and I’m so glad we did. Such an interesting place with a lot of history. It seemed so small when we first walked in but if you go back the hallway past the bathrooms it opens up into a ton of space. We went on a weekday in the afternoon so it wasn’t insanely packed. They had music and the staff were so nice and personable.

Timmy was an amazing guy who told us many great stories about Irish Whiskey!! Great place to visit. Only Drink Sean's Whiskey. We've done all the tours and tastings and drank all the bottles, nothing tastes as good as Sean's Whiskey. Save room in your suitcase....we didn't...wish we had more room. The history lesson we received was amazing. Nice people and a great visit.

Great place. A must visit. Old and warm place to stay hours drinking.

Amazing atmosphere and heritage to this bar and a bloody good pint of Guinness. We bought their gin as well which is very tasty. A must-stop place to sample the black stuff and soak in the ambience.

Delighted to visit this famous pub! Really busy, a good sign! Attentive staff, friendly and polite. Tried their own brand of whisky and it didn't disappoint! Sat out the back in the upstairs area, lovely decor and atmosphere.

I absolutely love this place. Nice space, excellent patio space, great live music, tasty beer and the bartenders are super friendly and engaging. On top of that it is Ireland's oldest bar. What's not to love?

Right next to Athlone Castle and across from parking. Right off the quay. Nice area to stroll around. Not so fun to drive the narrow twisting streets there and back. Lots of lovely architecture in that area.

I saw JackSepticEye here. He asked me if I had 90 Minutes.

Tons of character here at the oldest pub in Ireland. Also right off the main highway by about ten minutes so definitely worth a stop. Best part of the place besides all the history seen in the decor is their very own craftbrew!

Lots of intresting old antiques to see while you visit Europe's oldest pub. Great pints of Guinness to be had in here. Lovely cosy atmosphere and friendly staff. Finger food would be a credit to this business. Regardless it's a must see/visit

Great time at Sean's Bar! The owners were very friendly and gave us some history about the place. We met and talked with some amazing locals. They even sang a song for the whole bar! Very cool experience! Highly recommend stopping here for a drink if you are in the area!

Great time. LOVED it. Had a great chat with the owner as he talked about the history. Want to go back.

Toilets absolutely stunning and spotless. Staff great offered a job but sad I've to go home and would have loved the job. Recommend this pub to anyone visiting this area. Lovely outdoor heated smoking area. Plenty of seating covid friendly 🙂🙂. Super clean efficient staff. Drinks price d usual.

Incredible place to go. Not that far away from Dublin, and Athlon is a nice place to visit. Would love to go back again, as the atmosphere is super cozy.

Made the trip to Athlone focusing on making my way to Sean’s bar. Considered to be started in the year 900AD, this is recognised as the oldest pub in Ireland and one among the few that’s the oldest in the world. The place was an experience in terms of the old fashioned look to it and it’s history. But in terms of drinks, I personally don’t think it was the best. Had beers and Irish coffee. Irish coffee was average. Overall experience was great in terms of being In a place that had been in existence over centuries.

Welcoming staff. Shortly after we walked in we got a lovely history of the building and the area. We didn't realize at first that the front area wasnt all there was, there are more areas with seating in the back, including outdoors leading to the river Shannon. Very short walk to Athlone Castle as well. No food here but plenty of places to eat in the same parking areas.

We took a special trip to visit Sean’s Bar and we were not disappointed! We had some of the smoothest Whisky and brought a bottle home. We won’t open it up until we have another trip planned to Ireland and next time we will buy more bottles!

Awesome bar! Has been operating since 900 AD! Definitely a local and tourist bar that is a must visit! Had a great time! Good whiskey too!

Sean's Bar was as it always was, top notch and buzzing. As only part time frequenters,we love the bar and all the craic that comes with it. We got a great welcome from the top man Paul, which was very nice. He told us they have their own whiskey selling well. If you're in Athlone , you can't pass by Sean's.

We went here because of our oldest son having the name Sean. Didn't find out the history until we returned home and was asked how old "Sean's Bar" was. I was astounded when I found out it's possibly the oldest bar in the world. Can be proven to be in existence as far back as the year 900ad. Cool!☘

Excellent spot. High quality live music nearly every night of the week. Lovely atmosphere and very impressive smoking area. Well worth a visit

The oldest pub in Ireland. The oldest pub in the world. Timmy was an absolutely incredible host / bar man with loads of incredible historical stories to tell about the bar and surroundings. I've never felt as welcomed in a pub in my life. If you ever visit ireland. Dont miss Sean's bar.

Quaint and cozy pub. Bathrooms were... not. I didn't know I wanted to visit until I heard it was the oldest in Ireland so why not go to say I did.

Oldest Pub in the world! Founded in 900AD!!!

(Translated by Google) mine your dogs (Original) meins ihr hunde

Great bar

(Translated by Google) amazing atmosphere, live music, always good Guinness (Original) niesamowita atmosfera, muzyka na żywo, zawsze dobry Guinness

get noob

Tourism at its Oirish best. A must see in Athlone

Just a bar, a little touristy but still a very cool place that can run your imagination with its old cosy interior.

The pint of Guinness that my sister has looked lovely. The atmosphere was great. It was the only pub that I ever saw one man (American) down a pint of Guinness in 50 seconds. Weird.

I'll be back

(Translated by Google) Spectacular atmosphere and music. A bar to visit. (Original) Ambiente e música espetacular. Um bar a visitar.

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Great prices and atmosphere!

A must for one of the best pints of Guinness

Top notch

Very friendly staff and interior has so much personality! I was expecting outrageous prices for a tourist attraction, but was very pleasantly surprised.

(Translated by Google) The place to be a Athlone. Obligatory passage through this pub which claims to be the oldest in Ireland. Traditional music at the entrance and pop-rock groups in the room behind the weekend. Calm during the week but very crowded on WE. To have. (Original) The place to be a Athlone. Passage obligatoire par ce pub qui se dit le plus ancien d'Irlande. Musique traditionnelle à l'entrée et des groupes pop-rock dans la salle de derrière le WE. Calme en semaine mais très fréquenté le WE. A voir.

I liked it very much!

Great bar..oldest bar in Ireland

Very warm and inviting. Loved the fragrant fire. The previous owner was working and told us the history of the bar, the area, and whiskey making. A great place to stop for a pint and history lesson.

Excellent Service and friendly staff.

A Must go if visiting Athlone. Plenty of variety with drinks. Staff are excellent and prices are fair.

Best bar ever great athmospher

Bucket list joint. World's oldest bar.

(Translated by Google) The oldest pub in the world, founded in 900 (Original) 900年創業の世界最古のパブ

Perfect!!

Friendly enviroment. Cozy atmosphere

Nice place good service

Great place full of history, nice people, live music inside and dj outside, and a lot of good beer to taste.

best Guinness around

Proper irishpubno tvs

Oldest pub/pub location in ireland. Always live traditional music, good atmosphere. Very busy during the weekend.

An amazing place feels like home.

Great bar, Sean's stout was wonderful.

Lovely wee pub good entertainment friendly staff

Historic place with good beers. Beer garden on the Shannon River is great! Must stop for beer drinkers.

First bar we stopped at in Ireland. Barkeep and setting outstanding, can’t wait to return for a cold one.

Well there could only be one bar that I could start the day of fun in and that would have to be Sean’s bar, just around the corner from Athlone Castle on the banks of the River Shannon. The oldest pub on the island of Ireland, and also even in the whole wide world, with a history dating back to AD 900! Yes you read that correctly, nine hundred AD! But this isn’t just an Irish tale, the Guinness World Records have confirmed this amazing fact to be true, no fake news here! I was lucky enough to get chatting to Timmy O Donovan who works in Seans Bar and who was kind enough to sit down with me for a small talk about the history behind the pub. Was well impressed with Timmy’s vast knowledge of the olden times and it is quite clear that the bar does have an old, old history. The bar itself looks very quaint from the outside, looks a bit small, but once inside you can wander around and see that it is quite big actually, a few floors too. A lot of history with many ancient artifacts on display, and the front bar is a nice and cosy place for a quiet pint. They do have a lot of space out the back and they have a large beer garden to cater for bigger crowds and to help ease the congestion from the nightly music sessions they like to have here. When I was there early in the day there were a good few tourists in the bar, but also a nice mix of locals too, a good atmosphere was building, and the pints were a flowing. They do have a good selection of beers on tap and I tried their own stout and the red ale, both very good particularly the stout, excellent. Also had a wee drop of their whiskey. Now not a whiskey drinker, yeah I know as an Irishman that’s a mortal sin, but it tasted ok to me, least it was smooth enough! Sat at the bar and took in all the atmosphere and the mystique of the place. Loved it and would have been quite happy to have stayed here all day, but alas I had to continue on my trip around the town. Ancient Irish history, in the settings of a cozy relaxed bar, drinking great pints. If only history class in school was as interesting as this!!! Great bar, and even if it had none of the history it still would be a top spot. Recommended, and I will be back!!!!!

Lovely old Irish pub. Very friendly and knowledgeable barman. Lots of character and the Guinness was nice

Great pub WE took a cruise for the Hudson bay hotel TO Athlone centre were Sean pub IS

Very relaxed atmosphere and very friendly staff. We wanted to eat something and they took us to the restaurant attached to the bar and ate a very tasty chowder!

Just a small little pub with a great atmosphere!

(Translated by Google) Entered in the Book of Records, the oldest bar in the world. Unfortunately, I visited him during the Covid 19 pandemic, I was not able to drink a beer in this wonderful place😞 (Original) Wpisany do Ksiegi rekordów, najstarszy bar na świecie. Niestety ja odwiedziłem go w czasie pandemi Covid 19 , nie było mi dane napić się piwa w tym cudownym miejscu😞

Ok

Such a cool experience! My friend and myself rented a car and drove to this small town in Ireland just to go to the oldest bar in the world. This was pre COVID. The bar was mostly empty. We both got a small Guinness and just enjoyed that we reached our destination, and that we were getting to observe history. It was worth it.

Oldest pub in Ireland

Great place to visit

I was slightly dreading the bar would be a tourist trap but much to my surprise they do a great job of balancing the local clients/feels of the place with the tourists coming to see Ireland's oldest bar. Staff were diligent at checking covid certs and great at serving drinks. Place has a lovely warm, authentic feel to it - open fires, live music etc. Would highly recommend.

Great night, felt very safe as all covid-19 rules and regulations were being followed so well. Lovely atmosphere, friendly door staff and bar staff and lovely pints of the black nectar 👍

Cozy and just what you want in a very very old bar. Delightful.

The bar is what exactly what I wanted it to be Full of character, very clean, and great stories from the staff Especially Ryan and Adam thanks very much for your hospitality Highly recommended

Great spot. Worth checking out. Cracking pint of stout too.

When we started planning our trip we heard about Sean's Bar and made a point of stopping at this iconic establishment. And we were not disappointed. Such a fun place, even at lunch!

Oldest pub in Ireland 900BC. Music was great, traditional Irish and the mood was better than expected.

Sean's Bar was well worth the 3 hour drive! The bar is situated perfectly next to the River Shannon. Upon entry we were greeted with a sentimental sized bar, filled with quirky and historical collections around the walls etc. Sawdust on the floor adds a throwback touch! The pint of Guinness was well worth the drive and decently priced! Tshirt are for sale also so being a fellow Sean I just had to get the new designed one! Live music on from 9pm 7 nights a week. We went out to the beer garden to listen to the music and take in the Saloon vibes. Alot of room out the back! Loved it! Staff are extremely polite and helpful!

Seems to be one of the oldest pub on the Isle. Teenagers may be gain access till 9:00 p.m. with parents. Very nice pub.

My wife and I visited Sean's Bar with our guide and new friend Robbie Allen. We didn't have time to drink or eat but what we saw of the bar was very impressive and the atmosphere seemed very friendly and welcoming. Tourists from all around the world who have visited Sean's Bar presumably because of its reputation as the oldest bar in the world. Very cool!

Friendly staff. Great live music. Fantastic ambiance. They don’t have a kitchen. Only bar - beverages. Good selection of tap beers.

Quaint exterior and a very eclectic interior. Poured the perfect pint of Guinness and the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. I originally came for the history of the place, but will return because of the service and environment. It's such a cool bar. You don't want to miss it!

Looks pretty good for an old pub. Eclectic décor all-round, and pretty decent whiskey too. Worth a stop if you like history, whiskey, beer, or Ireland.

Oldest bar of Ireland good vibe and Guinness Suberp experince

Sean's Bar is a true gem and a must-visit when you're in the area. As the oldest bar in the world, holding a Guinness World Record, it offers a unique and historic atmosphere. It’s been in service since 900 AD. The staff is not only friendly but also knowledgeable about the bar's rich history. Don't miss the chance to step back in time and enjoy a drink at this iconic establishment. It’s an hour from Galway and an hour and a half from Dublin. Be sure to go. It was recommended by an Instagramer I follow named @cassiestokes. She gives the best tips for Ireland. They don’t serve food but there is a place near by you can grab something light.

For real drinkers. Lovely and cosy pub to visit. Ranked as the oldest pub in Ireland, really worth it to visit, it is a big space with beer garden great drinks and such an authentic pub vibe. Defo a must in Athlone