THE Confession Box at No 88, Marlborough Street has scooped the title of Dublin’s Best Pint for the many years running, coming out tops in 98FM’s Best of Dublin search. Hailing from The Liberties, the Keenans have now claimed several awards from 98FM – Monica also snapped up best bar person in Irish Pub Global Awards. On winning for the fourth time running, Monica said: “The reason we’ve won is because of our customers, the loyalty we have with them and the craic we have together! “It’s like a home from home. It’s real friendly here, with great pint of Guinness.” One of the smallest pubs across Dublin, The Confession Box sits in the shadow of the Pro-Cathedral – a place which had a big impact on the bar.

Original name

During the 1919-1921 War of Independence, the public house was known to locals as The Maid of Erin. At the time, rebel Volunteers, under the leadership of Michael Collins, would often occupy the pub and use it as a refuge. Sympathetic priests from the Pro-Cathedral established a holding in The Confession Box to listen to the rebels’ confessions, and also provide communion. Their actions, along with the size of the pub and its closeness to the Pro-Cathedral, led to The Maid of Erin being nicknamed The Confession Box, as we now know it. Today, the rebels are long gone, replaced by the sight of three awards placed proudly against the glass of the bar’s front-facing window. As you step in, you immediately encounter a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Monica told The Gazette: “Half of them [the customers] wouldn’t know each other, but that’s what it’s like here – once one starts talking, they all start talking! It’s always like that.” She added: “There’s great entertainment. There’s live music all the time and everyone gets on with each other. You could have an 80-year-old sitting with an 18-year-old and they’d still have things in common; everyone has something in common.” Locals come from all over the world to visit – yes, locals, usually calling in a few times per year. People come back from Florida, various parts of America, and Sweden, to name but a few places, actively staying in touch with Pauline and Monica by sending them postcards and emails, even sending presents. Pauline modestly said: “It’s a typical Irish pub with friendly banter, it’s what Dublin’s really about – people mixing and chatting and talking, telling their stories; listening, laughing and joking, being there for each other at some stage.

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