This Bar/Restaurant/Folk Museum is located a short drive from Dublin in the Wicklow Mountains overlooking the city. It is a beautiful setting, this quaint venue makes great use of its Heritage and is full of memorabilia from Ireland, it even has turf fireplaces and sawdust on the floor.
Step back in Time
The setting in the Wicklow Mountains overlooking Dublin Bay is beautiful at any time.
Enjoy a drink outdoors in a very unusual setting.
Or step inside and have an experience!
Call in Advance
This pub is always busy for lunch on Sundays. Call in advance or you could be waiting for up to an hour for a table.
Folk Museum
We come here for the food because it's great but there are many things to explore inside and out. Everything from vintage cars, to vintage farm machinery. It really feels like you're stepping back in time when you arrive at this pub. If you are a tourist this place is worth a visit for the experience, the food is a bonus!
Johnnie Fox's Pub was originally a small holding farm, the pub of today displays some of the machinery that would have been used in the past.
The Irish Republic
The area is steeped in history with famous leaders from the Republican movements being linked to the area. This pub, a short distance from Dublin and secluded in the Dublin mountains was a hideaway for Michael Collins and Daniel O'Connell was a regular patron. In memory of their great achievements the walls are decorated with memorabilia from the Irish republican movement over the years, letters and pictures of some of these heroes of Irish history.
Perils of Wisdom
The Irish wit is never in short supply in a place such as this.
Photo by @ishtar
Photo by @ishtar
Famous People
Over the years, this pub has been a stop where diplomats and famous people can experience the real Ireland. The walls are dotted with photos of people from down the years, from presidents to writers, movie stars to musicians. There is even a photo of the Queen of England but, not on her visit, she unfortunately had to decline the invitation on her royal state visit to Dublin a few years ago.
A more complete list can be found on the official website https://www.jfp.ie/Famous-Visitors , but I have included a few photos that caught my eye.
Italian President Cossigla
US Secretary of State Condalezza Rice
Australian Prime Minister John Howard
HRH Sultan of Kedah
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin
Prince Felipe of Asturias
Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek
Prime Minister Yoshirō Mori of Japan
The Food
I almost forgot about what we came for. Johnnie Foxes has an great "traditional" selection of fish and meat dishes. The deserts and breads are all home made and are exceptional.
We made our way to our table
Johnnie Foxes was a originally a farm house. The woman of the house greeted us on our way. (a bit creepy)
Photo by @ishtar
Photo by @ishtar
The fire was off as its the summer time in Ireland but if you come in the winter you get the distinctive aroma of burning turf as you eat.
Photo by @ishtar
Pork Belly
When pork belly is good it's good, here it's great!
Fish Platter
Home Baked Irish Brown Bread
Fish Pie
We were too full for desert today after dinner but I have had many times in the past and they are very good. I hope fred wasn't too disappointed. We will be back!
Entertainment
If you want to see Irish Dancing and a trad session while in Ireland, Johnnie foxes offers a daily show. More details can be found at https://www.jfp.ie/the-hooley-irish-dancing-show
Johnnie Foxes
Well worth a visit and just a short distance from Dublin.
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All Images are from my personal library with contributions by @ishtar