The Irish guide to London

This is where the Irish turn to for home comforts in the capital, from Barry's Tea to Tayto sandwiches

15 March 2019

St Patrick’s Day is the biggest celebration of Ireland in the calendar and London is no slouch when it comes to joining in the fun. The Irish are the capital’s largest expat community, and that’s not counting the legions who can also claim Irish heritage. There are little corners of Hibernia all over London, from Hammersmith to Hackney Wick, to remind you of the old country – as well as countless Celtic talents blazing a trail on the London scene.

Philip Vile
The Kiln
Given its location in Kilburn, a slice of London with a large Irish population affectionately known as County Kilburn, the Kiln Theatre, which rebranded last year from its previous guise as the Tricycle, has become an unofficial launchpad for Irish theatrical talent. Since it opened nearly 40 years ago, it continuously shines a spotlight on Ireland’s creative scene, staging productions from modern playwrights such as Sebastian Barry and hosting the celebrated Druid Theatre Company from Galway, as well as playing Irish films in its cinema.
Address: Kiln theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR
Telephone: +44 207 328 1000
Website: kilntheatre.com
The Sun Tavern
You’ll find an Irish pub in almost every corner of the globe, but for those who want to avoid the faux Irish craic there is The Sun Tavern. This is a traditional, Victorian, East London boozer, reimagined with a distinctly Irish air. Come here to sample one of London’s finest offerings of Poitín, a type of Irish moonshine that was traditionally distilled from potatoes and not legalised until 1997. Ireland’s oldest craft brewery, the Franciscan Well in Cork, is the focus of its March Takeover Tuesdays, with a chance to sample one of three distinct ales.
Address: The Sun Tavern, 44 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0AN
Telephone: +44 20 7739 4097
Website: thesuntavern.co.uk
Fernandez & Wells
For the Irish, most of the world’s problems, although possibly not the questions about the backstop, can be resolved over a cup of tea. The small nation is second only to Turkey in its tea consumption per capita – and the brew of choice is a cup of Barry’s Tea Gold Blend, a fortifying mix of Indian, Rwandan and Kenyan leaves from the Cork company that counts Saoirse Ronan as a fan. Despite its Spanish leanings and emphasis on coffee, anyone needing their Barry’s fix can get it at Fernandez & Wells, which serves Gold Blend in proper teapots.
Address: Fernandez & Wells, Somerset House, Strand WC2R 1LA
Telephone: +44 20 7420 9408
Website: fernandezandwells.com
Jason Bailey
Homeboy
In many ways, Homeboy epitomises the modern face of Irish hospitality. Aaron Wall and Ciarán Smith combined their impressive experience in various bars and hotels in Ireland, the UK and America to open this Islington cocktail bar, with a vibe more akin to the Lower East Side than Limerick. There’s also what must be London’s teensiest Irish pub – the wood-panelled Liam’s Bar, hidden at the back that snugly seats eight drinkers. Wittily named cocktails, small-batch Irish whiskies and Guinness on draught are served alongside a short menu with the likes of Ciaran’s dad’s Irish stew and Aaron’s mum’s brown bread as well as the don’t-knock-it-until-you’ve-tried-it Tayto sandwich – an essential eat in the Irish culinary canon.
Address: Homeboy, 108 Essex Road, London N1 8LX
Telephone: No number
Website: homeboybar.com
Myrtle
Myrtle Allen is widely attributed with kickstarting Ireland’s food revolution after opening the legendary dining room at Ballymaloe House in County Cork in the 1960s. And its associated cookery school, run by Darina Allen, has turned out talents such as Thomasina Miers and Stevie Parle. Irish-born chef Anna Haugh’s new venture Myrtle, which opens this April in Chelsea, is named after the doyenne of Irish hospitality, who passed away last year. It’s a fitting tribute – Haugh will showcase modern European food with Irish influences, introducing diners to the country’s ingredients and dishes such as boxty, a refined version of the traditional potato cake.
Address: Myrtle, 1A Langton Street, London SW10 0JL
Telephone: No number
Website: myrtlerestaurant.com
Corrigan’s Mayfair
The ebullient chef Richard Corrigan is one of Ireland’s most well-known exports and Corrigan’s Mayfair is a London dining-scene mainstay. Despite the refined dishes on offer, the food is imbued with a strong sense of his Irish heritage and conviviality – if you’re lucky, his soda bread might also be on the menu. All the herbs and vegetables used in the kitchen are supplied on a daily basis from the organic gardens at Corrigan’s County Cavan idyll Virginia Park Lodge, a private estate and farm, which also hosts events and themed weekends.
Address: Corrigan’s Mayfair, 28 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 7EH
Telephone: +44 20 7758 4141
Website: corrigancollection.com
London Irish Centre
The Irish based in London recently rejoiced when An Siopa (Gaelic for shop) opened in Camden’s London Irish Centre. This hub provides vital support to the Irish community in the capital and beyond with events, fundraisers, a library, resources and exhibitions. And, now, a shop dedicated to the country’s food. Expats that have run out of supplies can now get the likes of Ballymaloe Original Relish, TK Red Lemonade and Mikado biscuits before they can get home again to refill their suitcases.
Address: London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB
Telephone: +44 20 7916 2222
Website: londonirishcentre.org
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Philip Vile
The Kiln, London
The Sun Tavern, London
The Sun Tavern, London
Philip Vile
The Kiln, London

The Sun Tavern, London

TopicsStyle & Culture London UK England Europe