The Marble City Bar – Kilkenny City

We covered The Marble City Bar, in Kilkenny City on our travels back in 1991. This is the entry from the book ‘The Famous and Historical Pubs of the South East‘, giving an account of this magnificent premises as it was in the early 1990’s.

Unfortunately the inside was totally revamped during the so called ‘Celtic Tiger’ years. It retains its appealing facade,but gone is the famous and much commented-on ‘Saloon Bar’ sign from the front window. It has since seen new owners and has re-invented itself as a ‘gastro-pub,’ and while it still has a certain charm, you can’t help thinking that we have lost one the most beautiful gems of Irish Victorianna. The original interior was more or less floor to ceiling ‘dark-wood.’ It had a cosiness that is missing today in many of the pubs around the country.

 

Marble City Bar - Kilkenny City. Pages from the 1991 book.

Marble City Bar – Kilkenny City. Pages from the 1991 book.

 

The new facade, or rather the new front window dressing with its art deco overtones is probably more suited to a modern style pub, as can be seen from the ‘Google Street View’ phototgraphs. The pub is still a popular establishment today and has a good name for food.

 

Google Streetview image of the new facade of the pub.

Google Streetview image of the new facade of the pub.

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