This month’s pub is JJ Bowles, the oldest, and possibly the most loved pub in Limerick. Records date the pub to at least 1794, with the building dating to the late 1600’s. The pub is popular with sports fans as it is within shouting distance of Thomond Park, where you can catch Munster Rugby matches, and the Gaelic Grounds where GAA fans watch Hurling and Gaelic Football matches. JJ Bowles also boasts a beautiful view – with a beer garden along the Shannon River and views across to King John’s Castle.
JJ Bowles the man was a true legend - an Irish handball champion of twenty years in a row, and the owner of the pub in the early 1900’s. It is now owned and operated by Bowles’ grand-nephew, Aengus D’Arcy, who keeps the legacy of his grand-uncle alive. The pub is full of character and has remained largely unchanged for the past 100 years. The local newspaper, the Limerick Leader, recently ran a poll to determine the best pint of Guinness in the City, and JJ Bowles came out on top. This pub is a Limerick institution and a must-see on any trip to the Emerald Isle.
