Strand Bar

The whole townland of Maghery is going to take a contract out on my head for giving away THE best kept secret in the world. i.e. The Strand Bar, a/​k/​a Packie James’.
You will never make your way out here without secret directions given to you by a wee man standing on the corner of Main Street Dungloe and Quay Road Dungloe. Or you can use your «trusty» GPS or you can PM me for details and also some super tips about what to do or see out there in Maghery while you are in the area. It’s the kind of place where you can quite «make the day of it».
I have this thing about not writing reviews unless I have been a customer recently. Well, I was a customer here last week and this place is still the hidden gem it always was. If you are looking for a locals bar, this it is. This is the epitome of «local bar». In fact, I think the person who coined that phrase was actually sitting at the counter of this bar or snuggled up beside the fire when he/​she thought of it.
Why do I love this place? Throughout my life and while he was still able to drive, this was my dad’s pub of choice. This was where he came to «get away». Some of us go to the South of Spain, some to the Ski Slopes of Switzerland. My dad? He went to Packie James’. HENCE… it was practically totally off limits to the girls in the family and the boys only went when invited. Otherwise, it was dad’s place, his refuge.
In the wintertime like last week. when it was freezing hard, they had a HUGE coal fire burning, which when contrasted with the red tartan carpet and blue upholstered chairs and stools makes for a very very country, cosy feeling.
In situations like this, my advice is to park your car, take a brisk walk along Maghery strand just a few minutes walk west of the front door, and get yourself foundered enough to totally appreciate the fire and the hot whiskey (and you HAVE to order yourself a hot Whiskey or hot Port in a situation like this). In the summer you should wander farther afoot, maybe take a wee dander up the lane opposite, passing the tall famine walls and on out to Tearmainn to visit the ruins of a 6^th centuary monastery founded by St. Crone or take a left and take a hike up the cliff road up to Crohy Head and the signal tower and breathtaking views.
No Food.
Pool table and dart board.
Parking out front.
Smoking room with seats.
Picnic table and seats for outside drinking.