The Tipperary Temple Bar beats its Dublin namesake hands down with creamy pints at just €5

OUR designated driver was sent out to the car park and told to check the tax disc and tyres before the rest of us followed on down after him.

“Make sure everything is in working order,” the Old Commando instructed him. “We’re heading to the Garda headquarters so we can’t give them any excuse to nab us,” he joked.

The pub-mobile passed its inspection and the Old Commando told us we were headed south west to Templemore in Co Tipperary, home of the Garda training college.

“There could be some young bucks out and about, trying to get their first victim. You can’t take any chances,” the Old Commando said with a grin.

After travelling more than 140km, we finally arrived in the town of Templemore and we got a parking spot right outside the front door of The Temple Bar pub on Main Street.

We were impressed by the blue and red exterior and decided to check it out as we secretly hoped it was a lot cheaper than the Temple Bar area we’re used to back in the capital.

There was a nice, relaxing atmosphere when our troops arrived, with a predominately male clientele and a young bearded barman named Eoin on duty.

He took our order without delay and we were surprised to discover for the third week in a row that our creamy pint of Guinness cost exactly €5.

“Maybe the market is starting to stabilise,” the Young Commando said enthusiastically.

“Pity it didn’t stabilise around fifty cents cheaper,” our cheapskate of an Old Commando replied.

A sign at the counter jokingly advises the price of a pint varies depending on customer attitudes but we found the clientele here all very friendly and they all seemed to share a good rapport with the young barman.

There was one TV behind the counter with most people watching the horse racing and swapping tips, while the second section of the pub had a pool table and jukebox.

The red velvet covered bench seating was in good condition and the black tiled floor was very clean too. The shelves and fridges were all fully stocked

They serve food here too, with toasted sandwiches of your choice available for €5. A £1,000 reward photo hangs behind the counter for Tipperary native and former Fianna Fáil TD Dan Breen, who was wanted by the British government for his role in the War of Independence and one local told us the trophy for the Tipperary senior hurling championship is named after the former Commandant.

“I think it ended up nearer £10,000 at one point,” the Old Commando said.

Behind the counter the top shelf caught our eye, but it wasn’t for the whiskeys on display — it was due to all the baseball caps with county crests embroidered on them. They even have one for arch rivals Offaly.

South African flags as well as scarves for rugby teams Toulouse, Claremont and Munster all hang from the ceiling in the front bar while the spacious second section was were the younger crowd was seated as well as some female customers.

We noticed they have live music every Sunday night and no doubt the atmosphere would be even better with a live band keeping the crowd entertained, but we had to settle with yarns from the locals during our visit.

Our Young Commando inspected the toilets before we departed and he told us they were small but clean with one cubicle and a stainless steel urinal.

“Nothing to report, everyone must have a good aim around here,” he said with a smile.

We’ll be back.

Rating: Three pints out of Five

One for the road…

The Old Malthouse – Templemore

THE exterior of the Old Malthouse doesn’t do the interior justice as this is a beautiful bar with a lovely layout and high quality furnishing.

A grey haired barman with glasses served us as soon as we arrived and he was friendly but kept on the move throughout our stay so we didn’t exchange much conversation with him.

Rockshore lager and cider are both available on draught as well as Carling, Birra Moretti and the local Templemore brew called Golden, from Whitefield Brewery.

There are three TVs in the front bar alongside a pool table, a gaming machine and a jukebox, while we huddled around the large solid fuel stove at the far end of the counter when we arrived.

A framed Ireland football jersey, multiple Tipperary GAA and Irish and British Lions rugby memorabilia can be found throughout the pub and they also serve food with a dining area at the rear of the bar.

The toilets checked out fine.

Rating: Four pints out of Five