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Some pubs have a quick lick of paint before reopening after a short closure, and maybe take down some branded stickers or similar from the old operators - I see this quite frequently. Getting back in business as quickly as possible is often the main target for an operator.

However, while this happened here before, it didn't this time. The first rebirth of the pub happened only a few years back, and is documented by The Dublin Inquirer. Originally a run-down (albeit relatively new - the building was replaced in the late 1990s) markets early house with a colourful and somewhat problematic clientele, The Claddagh Ring became The Capel Bar in 2015/2016, but this wasn't to last and it closed last year. The original clientele didn't go away, from what I was told, which doesn't really provide a solid basis for running a pub with Dublin's cost base these days.

This time, the pub has had a total refit to an extremely high standard instead, and isn't opening early. Doors open at 5pm, with a doorman to let you in to the dark painted, red leather and brass decorated interior. The early house licence is being retained for now, but for occasional use for after parties or similar and not regular operation.

There are still beer taps here, albeit not that many - for this is a poitin bar. Available neat or in mixed drinks, there is a larger range of poitin here than I think I've ever seen even in specialist off-licences.

The cocktails are named after notable local interest items, either current or historical - meaning that you can order a Pantibar or Hacienda a few hundred metres away from the pubs in question! On the historical side, there is the Barney Kiernan, named for the former pub next door, closed in the late 1940s and quite important in Ulysses - Publin has covered this before - with another being named for the Claddagh Ring itself.

The quality of the fitout and knowledge of the staff of their products - and their provision of samples prior to purchase to someone who knows little about poitin - set this place apart from a lot of other "gentrified" bars in Dublin. It may be on a sidestreet, but it isn't too far from either Smithfield or Capel Street so there should be plenty of custom,