If you ask any dubliner to name some of the heritage
of Dublin's great pubs, one name which you will undoubtedly
hear is "The Old Stand" on Exchequer Street, at the
junction of St. Andrew Street.
This pub has been located on this site for well over three hundred
years, in one of Dublin's old medieval streets. In contemporary
times, many Dubliner's may have a greater knowledge of Exchequer
Street than they do of St. Andrew Street, but back in Viking
and Medieval days St Andrew Street or Hog Hill, as it was then
known, was one of the most important streets in Dublin. This
importance arose because the street ran from the site of the
old Viking parliament or assembly place, and in later times
because of its proximity to Grattans parliament on College Green,
where lived some of the most eminent Irishmen of that era.
One of the famous early patrons of "The Old Stand"
was a famous gentlemen named John Travere, who was one of the
great unpaid entertainers of that age. He was a poor but independent,
lame cobbler, and was particularly noted for his sharp wit and
drollery. In the 1760's he ran a shoe stall on Hog Hill which
daily attracted large crowds to hear his jokes, cynicisms and
sarcasm, Come eventide, he continued his show to the delight
of "The Old Stands's" patrons.
Exchequer Street derived its name in 1776 from the old Exchequer
which was sited here, having formerly been known from 1728 as
Chequer Lane. In those days, Exchequer Street ran from Georges
Street onto Grafton Street as the Eastern end of this street
did not become Wicklow Street until 1838.
Because of its prominent location and affluent residential surroundings
"The Old Stand" always seems to have enjoyed a vibrant
and quality trade was in 1817 primarily responsible for Proprietor,
James Mclean opening a provisions store in addition to his licensed
trade. For many years afterwards "The Old Stand" continued
to operate both as a grocery store and a pub through the various
ownerships of Lewis Martin in 1840, Daniel Flood in 1851 and
Michael O'Brien in 1868, until John Cox took over the business
in the Victorian days of 1885, and decided that there was more
money to be procured from drink than food. He may have been
somewhat assisted by the fact that this was the era of the "slate"
and whereas people invariably paid for their pint, they were
somewhat slower and more reluctant to pay their grocery bills.
Some years later, the premises became known as "The Monico"
a name which remained until the 1930s. During the War of Independence,
the premises was frequently visited by Michael Collins, who
had an office nearby at 3, St Andrew Street. From time to time,
Collins held informal meetings of the outlawed I.R.B. (Irish
Republican Brotherhood) in the premises as true to Collins tradition,
he was less conspicuous while in the midst of the public. It
is interesting to note that another favourite pub of Collins
was Davy Byrnes, both of which are now in the ownership of the
Doran family.
The Decor of the premises is Victorian in design. You will note
the large Welsh dresser of Austrian wood and the abundance of
horse brass around the bar and the large canopy island, complete
with Willow and Wedgewood artifacts, and if you journey up the
steps to the upstairs lounge, you will see two splendid paintings
by Fergus O'Ryan, of Fishamble Street and Blackhall Place. You
will also be reminded of the era of "The Monico" from
the photographic print of the premises taken in july, 1927 as
the funeral cortage of the assassinated Minister for Justice,
Kevin O'Higgins, was about to pass the premises en route to
Glasnevin Cemetery.
The name "Old Stand" gives us a clue to its closest
sporting identity - the game of rugby; in fact the name was
derived from a now demolished rugby stand at Lansdowne Road.
Year after year the premises is a shrine to rugby enthusiasts,
before and after internationals at Lansdowne Road. Equally,
it is frequented by most rugby clubs throughout the rugby season
and you will regularly see the various cups and trophies of
the season paraded in the bar. It is also a very popular rendezvous
for racing enthusiasts and its most famous barman of 40 years
service, the late Louis Dignam, was a true lover of the Gaelic
Games and regularly hosted the Sam Maguire Cup in the premises.
The "Old Stand" food trade has long been revered throughout
Dublin, being famous for its distinctive Hot Lunch dishes and
its excellent Fish Salads and good wines.
The premises is owned by Doran brothers, Colclough, Redmond
and Michel, whose family have been in the Dublin licensed trade
for 97 years. The brothers are third generation of the Doran
family to be involved in the trade, following in the footsteps
of their father John Doran and their grandfather, Michael. Colclough
and Michael Doran describe the
"Old Stand as an authentic, traditional pub, where we
serve a good clientele in an atmosphere where there is a good
mixture of food and drink."
For generations past, "The Old Stand" has been
an integral part of Dublin's pub life - today, that heritage
is enhanced in a location which is enhanced in a location
which is the epicentre of the Dublin rag trade, attracting
probably a wider female clientele than most city pubs. It
is also the social home of Dublin's financial sector, relished
by bankers and stockbrokers and the legal profession.
There is a lot of history in the "Old Stand", and
it doesn't all flow from one tap
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