Nestled in the Dublin Mountains, perched approximately 270 metres above sea level, Johnnie Fox’s is widely celebrated as Ireland’s highest pub, steeped in tradition and alive today with warmth, laughter, and live music. It’s been part of the local tapestry since 1798—a true living museum where every creak, beam, and melody whispers stories of Ireland’s past and present.
A Historic Hearth on the Hill
From its humble origins as a small holding farm, today’s Johnnie Fox’s preserves the spirit of its roots in the names and namesake areas: The Pig House, The Haggart, The Parlour, and more—each evoking memory of an original purpose.
This is more than a pub. It’s a tapestry of Irish history. Daniel O’Connell, Ireland’s “Great Liberator”, was a regular, and it’s said he once gave a rousing speech here. The location also touches on tales of Michael Collins, with “The Colonel’s House” nearby noted in history as one of his hideouts.
A Living Museum of Six Senses
Walk inside and let your senses take over:
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Sight: Antique beams, old photographs, glowing hearths.
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Sound: Bodhrán rhythms, crackling fireplaces, laughter, and sing-alongs.
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Taste: Hearty seafood chowder, wild mussels, lamb stew—the kind of comfort that soothes the soul.
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Smell: Wood smoke from turf fires, savory stews, fresh-baked breads.
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Touch: The ancient stone, the cosy chairs, the feel of history under your fingertips.
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ESP (Extra Sensory Perception): An unnameable warmth—the invisible spirit of “Old Ireland” embodied in every corner.
Where Music and Storytelling Fill the Air
Johnnie Fox’s is famed for its Hooley Night: a lively blend of traditional Irish music, storytelling, and dance, seven nights a week, with ad-hoc sessions still lighting up daytime weekends. Whether by the fire in winter or under cloak of stars in summer, expect to be enchanted.
A Culinary Embrace
The food at Johnnie Fox’s is no afterthought—it’s part of the experience.
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Their award-winning seafood kitchen serves dishes like richly flavored chowder and seafood pie, prepared by expert chefs.
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A real treat: Fox’s Seafood Pie enjoyed after a long hike, a filling, soul-warming meal.
Setting That Nurtures Wonder
Glencullen itself is a tiny gem, perched in the valley of county Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, on the slopes of Two Rock Mountain. The village population is small but proud, with only a few hundred residents.
The surrounding area is threaded by the Dublin Mountains Way, a 42-kilometre hiking trail traversing serene landscapes—from glacial valleys to ancient tombs. And right at its heart stands Johnnie Fox’s—a scenic and cultural highlight.
A Journey Worth Every Step
Imagine this: sipping stew and Guinness after hiking through blooming heathers and silent stone paths. Many travelers have described how the pub appears like a “time capsule” at the journey’s end. They climb through hills and solitude, only to find a warm glow, handmade signs—“You’ve made it to the highest pub in Ireland!”—and sometimes even a bus waiting to take them home.
Generations of Care
Since 1987, the pub has been stewarded by the McMahon family. Now under the direction of Kaitlin McMahon, it still upholds the founding principles—great food, great drink, and great traditional Irish entertainment.
During the early pandemic, the hearths went quiet—but the spirit did not fade. They began home deliveries of beloved dishes like chowder, lamb stew, and mussels across Dublin, ensuring the warmth continued beyond the walls.
Practical Magic: Visiting Johnnie Fox’s
Opening hours:
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Mon–Thu: 11 am–11:30 pm
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Fri–Sat: 11 am–12:30 am
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Sun: 11 am–11 pm
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Kitchen: daily 12 pm–9:30 pm (check ahead for late bookings)
Getting there:
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By car or guided coach from Dublin, winding through glens and hills.
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By public transport: Dublin Bus route 44B from Dundrum Luas to Glencullen.
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For walkers: finishing the Dublin Mountains Way brings you right to its welcoming glow.
Pro tip: Weather in the hills changes fast—bring rain gear, sturdy shoes, and time your trip to leave yourself enough daylight for both hiking and relaxing.
Why Johnnie Fox’s Charms the Soul
You come here for a pint or a plate—but you stay for the stories. The whisper of history, the echo of bodhrán and fiddle, the firelight dancing on faces as old as the mountains. This place isn’t just old—it’s alive.
In an age of sterile experiences, Johnnie Fox’s feels human. It’s warm. It’s honest. It’s rooted. Every log, every hearth, every footfall on its floors seems to say: “Take a moment. Let time slow. Let yourself belong.”
Final Thought
Johnnie Fox’s Glencullen isn’t just a pub. It’s a story told in stone, song, and stew. It’s a banquet of history and music and hospitality—served with a pint and a smile, at the very top of Ireland, and right at the heart of human connection.
When you come, bring your curiosity, your heart. You’ll leave with a glow that lingers—long after the embers die down and the songs ebb into memory.
