Sunday World | PUB SPY

Sunday February 22, 2026 | 19

 

Just Glyde Inn to this slice of heaven in Annagassan, Louth

THE GLYDE INN ANNAGASSAN, CO LOUTH

 

ONE of the Young Commandos is all buzzed up by the sauna craze and has been nagging yours truly to join him for one.

 

I’ve found just the place,” he announced a few weeks back, pointing to a spot on the Co Louth coastline.

 

Now, as you all know, there’s nothing Pub Spy likes more than a bit of warmth at this time of year, but only in front of an open fire, fully clothed with a nice creamy pint on the counter.

The Young Commando wasn’t for turning, though, so off we went to Annagassan, where he assured me there is a pop-up sauna right by the sea just a few miles outside the sleepy village.

 

But while my gullible young friend only had saunas on his mind, I had other ideas. You see, Pub Spy had a cunning plan, which I only revealed to the Young Commando at the very last minute.

As we crossed the humpback bridge and rounded the bend into the village, The Glyde Inn came into view.

“Drop me off here,” I said, “and I’ll wait for you.” He wasn’t one bit happy that he’d now be flying solo in the sauna.

 

The rain had eased a little, but there was still a biting east wind and a dark sky that had the promise of more heavy rain to come.

 

It had been 20 years since our last visit to this cosy retreat. Nothing much seemed to have changed when I went through the door into this traditional Irish pub — the old bar looked just like I remembered it. Seemingly, the pub here dates right back to the late 1700s.

I ordered a pint from the friendly barman and took stock of my surroundings.

The old bar is narrow with an L-shaped counter. There’s certainly nothing forced or fake about its authenticity and charm. The old wooden counter and panels, and the myriad small shelves which feature plenty of knick-knacks, all contribute to a calming atmosphere.

 

And you might easily miss the old wall plaque as you walk in, celebrating the fact that CS Lewis — he of Narnia fame — was known to frequent the place back in the day.

 

I took my pint into the lounge area, where I was greeted by a lovely open fire spreading its warmth on a cold day. I went for a seat by the nearest window and settled in. There was a nice late afternoon/early evening hum emanating from the bar, and a crackle of logs on the fire.

The lounge is a little dark, but it has the look and feel of an area that has been tastefully refurbished in the recent past.

The Glyde Inn does food, so the lounge is set up with that in mind — there’s a mix of tables, booths and a few open spaces as well, and in one corner there’s an eye-catching little bar with high stools.

 

The menu is appealing, leaning very heavily on seafood; hardly a surprise given that the sea is right outside. We saw fishing boats in the small harbour as we came into the village, and local catch features heavily — as do local products. Even the house wine is local, from Fairy Trees Winery just a few miles away.

 

A corridor at the back of the lounge takes you to the toilets, which are fresh and well-maintained, and then on to a restaurant area which Pub Spy had not known about before this visit. The surprise was further compounded by the big windows with a stunning view out onto Dundalk Bay and the Cooley and Mourne mountains.

In fact, the sea comes right up to the beer garden out the back, so that must be some place to enjoy a pint or a bit of food on a nice summer’s day.

 

Back in my seat, with a fresh pint in hand, I watched as some fish and chips was served to a couple at the next table. That put the hunger on Pub Spy.

By the time the Young Commando joined me, I was eyeing up some smoked mackerel. His face was bright red (the Young Commando’s, not the mackerel’s) after the hot sauna and cold sea.

“It was freezing,” he said.

No shit, Sherlock, I thought, as I ordered the mackerel and chowder for us. The food hit the spot, and I managed another lovely creamy pint before we set off for home. As we crossed the bridge, I vowed not to wait another 20 years for my next visit to this little gem.

 

RATINGS KEY

• The Cream (5 Pints)
• Sparkling (4 Pints)
• Drinkable (3 Pints)
• Flat (2 Pints)
• Slops (1 Pint)

SCORE: [5/5 Pints - The Cream]