The 2nd pub of my Galway Whiskey Trail adventure was only a short walk up Forster Street to the garishly coloured An Pucan bar.
As you can see from the photo above I actually got there before opening time – the train arrived about 10 past – so I took a few snaps before entering.
Before you ask – and I quote here;
“An Púcán” is actually a boat. It is a smaller version of the famous Galway Hooker or Bád Mór. It is about 30 feet in length and was used for fishing and hauling turf around Galway Bay, although they were probably used in other places as well. Nowadays they are pretty much pleasure boats and you can usually see some at the “Cruinniu na m Bad’ a local boat festival in Kinvara Co. Galway. I’ve heard it pronounced “un pookawn”.
A large roomy and spacious area greets you – along with the friendly staff – upon going through the yellow doors. The sheer amount of whiskey showing both behind the bar and in glass display cabinets along the whole of the opposite wall is overwhelming. An Pucan pride themselves in having over 200 expressions on offer.
Luckily I’d heard word through the interweb that the mysterious Craic & Divilment Irish Whiskey was in the house. My eagle eyes scanned the shelves and sure enough – there was the bottle – proudly showing the billy goat sitting quietly on the bar counter.
A glass was soon poured – and not just any glass either – a Glencairn glass I’ll have you know. An Pucan definitely take their whiskey seriously!
Some photos were taken of the golden liquid together with more questions which the staff helpfully answered before I ambled off to sit at a chair – fashioned out of used barrels no less – to enjoy the whiskey. Lovely. For a full review check out a previous blog here.
A further enquiry to the staff about whether I could take more pictures led to much cheerful banter and advice.
‘We have some expensive whiskeys you know – only 10,000 euro a bottle’
‘Ah’ I gulped ‘A bit beyond my price range I think’
Indeed it was WAY beyond anything I could afford – but if you’re in the market – it’s a Midleton VR 30th Anniversery Pearl Edition if you want it.
‘But you’d better hurry’
as Badfinger sang,
”cause it’s going fast’
could equally be applied to the smooth Craic & Divilment Whiskey too as it’s only a limited release.
Rare – discontinued – exclusive bottlings – Japanese – French – American – Welsh and even a pre-whisky whisky from the Puni Distillery in Italy could have enticed me to stay here all day.
Even although it was just after 11am – a few customers were chatting away. A woman over from the Aran Islands – the shuttle buses for the ferry must use the nearby depot -reminisced about when she used to come to the pub for all the dancing with the bands. The staff assured her there was still plenty of dancing and still plenty of live bands playing too.
‘Probably more suited to my daughter’s tastes who’s up here at college herself now. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her the stories of all the great times I had in here dancing’
‘Maybe yer daughter has already been in here enjoying the dancing as well’
‘I hope tis only the dancing she’s been enjoying’ came the reply coupled with a wicked smile and crackling laughter.
Ah yes.
The Irish Pub.
Don’t you just love it.
I certainly do.
That’s the craic – as in the banter- as well as the craic that’s in the whiskey from divilment.
I get the feeling that An Pucan – along with Craic & Divilment – are on to something good here.
Long may it last.
Sláinte
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 