Overview

The building that houses John Benny's received its first pub licence in 1894, also under the name Moriarty. In the intervening years it passed through the Long family for three generations, during which time Michael Long - a keen naturalist and collector of marine specimens - ran the premises.

His correspondence with the Museum of Natural History in Dublin is still on display in the bar today, and a plaque in his honour hangs on the wall outside.

John Benny Moriarty, who was raised on Main Street in Dingle where his parents ran a drapery shop, bought the premises with his wife Éilís in 2002 and renamed it. It has since become one of Dingle's most well-known places for food, music, and hospitality.

What You'll See

Located opposite the pier on Strand Street, John Benny's is one of the Peninsula's finest venues for music, song, and dance. Your hosts, John and Éilís, are both well-known traditional Irish musicians.

Seafood is a speciality, and the pub has a long-established relationship with local providers, keeping the produce very fresh. The pub also holds an award-winning selection of Irish whiskeys.

The pub also offers a unique option: in partnership with Dingle Bay Charters, you can bring fish caught on the morning's boat trip directly to the kitchen to have it prepared and cooked for your lunch or dinner.

Visitor Essentials

Breakfast is served each morning, followed by lunch and dinner daily until 9:30pm. The pub serves food all day with fresh seafood and local produce featuring throughout the menu.

Music runs nightly in peak season. During winter from the beginning of November, music is on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only - check the pub's website or social media for the current schedule before visiting in the off-season.

Tips

Come early for dinner and stay for the music - this is the standard advice and it works well here, since the pub fills quickly on evenings with live sessions. The harbourside location on Strand Street is a short, flat walk from most accommodation in Dingle, and the view across to the pier and the water is a bonus on a fine evening.

The pub politely asks visitors to resist filming during sessions, encouraging guests to simply be present and take it in - this reflects a genuine commitment to maintaining the tradition rather than performing it for cameras.

For those interested in a fishing trip followed by a fresh catch cooked to order, booking with Dingle Bay Charters in advance and asking them to call ahead to the kitchen is a memorable way to spend the day.

Official Site: https://www.johnbennyspub.com