The pictures say it all. This bar has been certified to be in a location, used as a bar, since the year 900. Not however the original structure. Thankfully. That would be dark and drab indeed. Walk in the door to a long narrow bar; with a nice warm fire during our visit on yet another cold rainy day. Not sure I understand why sawdust on the floor, but it is a very family friendly locale until 7pm and when we visited on Saturday afternoon there was a gaggle of children enjoying themselves in said sawdust. Walk back, past the main bar, into a smaller, intimate room with a few tables, which would be great for a group of say 10 people or so. Next, continue back to a small hallway were you find the bathrooms. Boys on the left, ladies on the right. Two men came into the ladies while I was there so keep an eye on that gentlemen. Just past this is a large outdoor space. Heaters on the roof are operating in colder weather and in warmer this would be a great spot for a pint. The front bar is just as an Irish pub should be. Dark, a fire going, beers on tap. The outside area is a great spot to enjoy a lovely day. Depending on what you are looking for, this spot has you covered. read more

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Super friendly bar. People from all over come to this place to have a pint or Sean's whisky. Oldest bar in the world at least in Ireland.

I mean , it's the oldest bar in the world, it's 5 stars !!! I went out if my way just to say I had a Guinness at Sean's Bar, and the whole place didn't disappoint !!!! read more

Sean's Bar - I'll never forget it !!! - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

Alert - there is no food served here! It's only drinks! But lovely pub nonetheless - it's long and lean and dark and smells hoppy. Great seating arrangements, but it's also tiny. Good price for drinks, friendly barkeep but honestly main reason for stopping here is to knock off another notch on the bucket list and successfully say you've been to the oldest pub in the world, as per the Guinness records! Note: #244 of Yelp 100 challenge for 2016 read more

Sean's Bar - Outside - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

Oldest bar in Ireland and a must stop for that Irish Stout. This bar is located in a small little town, and parking wasn't an issue mid-day. We were able to find parking a block away. NO, they don't have food at this bar but they do have friendly bartenders and great service. Inside you will find old pictures along with the certificate of the guinness world records, creaking floors with sawdust everywhere, and if you like to take a smoke they have sitting outdoors with heaters that you can turn on when it's cold. They do have a second outdoor area you can sit at with a nice view of the town. Also, for being a small narrow bar they had many stalls in the girls restroom. Plus, plus! read more

Passing through Ireland from East or west it is a wonderful and unique place to stop. Crowded but not too touristy, had a lovely lunch next door. Would definitely recommend for a quick stop to see the history and enjoy a pint! read more

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A must stop in Athlone as the oldest continuing bar in Europe since the year 900. This was a stop on our pub crawl and by this point in our crawl, I was grateful for the many types of cider available. It was unusually sunny so we sat outside and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. read more

Sean's Bar - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

It's nice to get a history lesson while having a few pints. Sean's Bar is the oldest pub in the world. The walls are made of sticks and clay, but have been covered with a more modern wall. The employees are friendly and knowledgeable and are willing to talk in detail about the history and construction of the bar and the surrounding area. read more

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This is a small bar full of patrons on a Wednesday afternoon. It is well worth a visit.

This place is so great. There's a huge beer garden with cozy seating and a cover and heaters for inclement weather and another part facing the water with open air. The inside is intimate and cozy and has fantastic music and REALLY attractive and attentive bartenders. I actually adore Athlone much more than my time in Dublin. Relaxed atmosphere with local shopping. read more

Sean's Bar - Representing Chicago (CPD) and my mom. - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

Nothing like making this the first stop for a pint after hitting the ground in Ireland. Bar had the old timey vibe, the beer was cold and the clientle entertaining. Place didn't have a level or plumb floor or wall - which adds to it's character and Guiness BOWR cred. Be sure to try the house beer, Sean's Stout, blonde and red ale. read more

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Great wee pub. Open turf fire, live music. Nice locally brewed beers available. Gets busy at night. Biiizzee. read more

Sean's Bar - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

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What a great feeling to be one of the oldest pubs ever! With saw dust on the floor, initials and date engraved in the wooden tablrs, and old memories covering the walls, it really feels like a trip to the past... read more

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Oldest pub in Europe, really good vibes on a Friday night with 2 different band playing Must do in athlone read more

Great bar! Wish there were some toasties as well. People are welcoming and the pints were cold.

Drove out of the way from Sligo Town to Athlone just to see this place and it didn't disappoint! Oldest bar in Ireland (and I think the world). Over 1,200 years old. Rediculous. Low ceilings, a proper pint and peat fire. What else could you ask for? Make sure you take a walk outside and see the castle just outside the front door and the riverfront is a nice stroll as well. Mostly older folks here which I like. Where I come from (Cleveland, Oh) everything is cookie cutter "gastro" or "fusion" crap and its nice to see something staying true and old-school.. Slainte! read more

So it's the oldest pub in Ireland, but it's certainly not the best. Cool to visit but not someplace that has authentically good craic. The beer garden out back (have come to realize that "beer garden" in Britain and Ireland typically just means a few picnic tables for smokers) is massive and looks like it could get quite crowded during the summer months. Guinness was good, not fantastic. One plus is the cozy atmosphere in the bar with the wood-burning fire. Despite its historic age, the place has a "we cater to crowds" feel to it. Would definitely stop here if passing through Athlone, but wouldn't call it a pub that merits a trip unto itself. read more

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Have been to Athlone several times, first visit to Sean's. A cozy pub for locals and tourists alike. The back room is massive, I can only imagine the scene on Paddy's Day!!!! read more

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Everything I expected. Prompt and courteous service. The place itself is huge towards the back with a biergarden. The front is the old section. They even have their own beer "Sean's beer". Did I forget to mention the huge castle about a hundred feet from the front door. read more

Sean's Bar - Outside - Pubs Near Me - Athlone, WH

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Its an old bar alight, but don't get too excited. They have tried to maintain an old look, mainly by not cleaning or washing anything. So be warned. It is located besides the Shannon and has a beer garden out the back. Despite what I am saying I still would tell people go see it for yourself, some people do love it and would go to no other bar in Athlone. read more

The oldest pub in Ireland and I get first Yelp. Well we went in for our first Guinness in Erie. And it was GOOD. The perfect location for the perfect pint! Plus, there were several ghosts. read more

Loved this place for a traditional feeling Irish pub! it was July but the weather was cold and we walked in and they had the fire going and trad music going strong. It was hard to hear the music from the back, but that was only because everyone was chatting and making merry! I ordered a coffee -- it was not good, but this place still gets 5 stars for ambiance. read more

Great little bar and Timmy is a great bartender. He was knowledgeable, funny, and helpful, all while serving several customers. Lots of history and right beside the Athlone Castle so worth the stop! Great place to get your first pint of Guinness in Ireland. read more

It's old, it's big (if you count the outdoor area), and it's more expensive than everywhere else in town. There's a huge beer garden in the back if you want a little elbow room. Worth grabbing one pint in to say you went to Ireland's oldest pub. read more

We were there August 2019. We loved it here. We heard that it was the oldest pub in Ireland and that they display police/firefighter patches. The pictures looked just like what I expected an Irish pub to look like so we were determined to go there. We landed in Dublin, dropped our bags at our hotel and hopped the train to Athlone. Sean's Bar did not disappoint. The bartenders (Adam and Tim, I think) were so welcoming and happy to tell us the history of the bar. Adam was happy to hang the patches I brought from the USA. We met a couple from Dublin (Debbie and her husband...he was originally from Holland). They were also welcoming and gave us great adice as to what to see while in Ireland. Unfortunately, our time there came to an end as we needed to catch the train back to Dublin. I meant to buy a couple T-shirts and a few coasters as souvenirs, but we left in a hurry and I remembered later. I would love to go there again if I ever get to Ireland again. read more

For those that think that other pub in Dublin is the oldest one, I would like to correct you and send you to Sean's the actual Guinness book World Record Holding oldest pub in Ireland. It is well worth a stop when going through town. Just walking in it is possible to appreciate the great old feel to it that they keep alive through the sawdust on the floor, music, and paraphernalia on the walls. We also had an excellent chat with the fellow who was working that day who gave us some more history of the place. read more

Had to find the oldest pub while I was in Ireland! Great place in a sweet little town. Loved all the first responder patches they collect - found quite a few from places I've lived! My favorite part though was the little stage out back - a dad playing guitar and maybe 4 or 5 yr old son who was belting out the rock songs with proper facial angst! Just added to the atmosphere of this not-to-be-missed places! read more

So glad I decided to stop in here! There is an interesting mix of tourist and regular drinking together in harmony; makes for a pretty unique atmosphere. The bartender and manager were friendly and quite knowledgeable about the history of their pub. This is the ultimate stop for your crawl. read more

Great spot. Do an amazing whiskey sour, ask for Jamie. Some man for one man! Well done guys, keep it up

Not sure why people mention the fact that this place doesn't serve food as a negative... it's a pub not a restaurant! Unsurprisingly, one of the best pubs in the whole country is also the oldest. Definitely recommended if visiting Athlone for a weekend stay. Get there early however as it can get crowded with tourists. read more

Incredible quaint pub that serves up amazing pints and conversation, beyond friendly. Went in daily during a few day stay at the Sheraton.

The oldest pub in Ireland just happens to be down the street from my mom's place in Athlone... So, of course we had to go! The atmosphere of Sean's is really amazing. People young & old getting together to enjoy a pint or just listen to trad music in a fireplace-lit room. Everyone is so nice in Ireland, and that's very clear when you go to Sean's. Lots of joyful conversation & banter to be had! They do have a larger part out back that includes a beer garden, but really... The front (the old part) is what's worth the trip. It's packed, but I prefer to think of it as cozy. :) read more

Great spot! Friendly staff and very home like feel! Open after the castle, so very nice stop after the tour.

It's the oldest pub in the world, how can you go wrong. Very cozy inside with a large outdoor area in the back. The bartender, I believe his name was Timmy was telling everyone about the history of the pub and the area AND about the new whiskey the pub is coming out with. I don't even like whiskey but this was very smooth. It should be in the U.S. within 6 months and is called Sean's. They believe whiskey first came from this area and seeing that Sean's is the oldest pub in the world was probably sold here. Great part of history, friendly and they make a great Baileys coffee. read more

Great place! Nice big beergarden in the back with rain cover and heaters for the the cooler nights. A must when in town!

Oldest bar in Ireland and can easily be in the running for the best also. Great atmosphere in each are of the building. Be warned. Very tight up the front bar when it's busy but great outdoor area at the back where some bands will play nightly at the weekend. read more

This is the oldest pub in Ireland and it is so lovely!! The service is really good and although sometimes it is hard to find seats if you do find one they are so comfy! Everyone there is so nice and friends and would do anything to make your visit a good one! Located in Athlone read more

just back from a week end in Athlone, we visited Seans bar on the Monday (june bank holiday ) theere was an AMAZING band on which included 11 saxaphine players ,a drummer and a guitaris, t it was mind blowing listening to them I dont know if they are local but they were BRILLIANT although a guy told us they were from the the local army band. the atmosphere was electric and the people extreemly friendly to us Dubs and Im sure to anyone who visit s the place , all in all we had a great night, with great people, hopefully we will return !!!!!!! read more