Blarney and Friends!

The best Boston area Irish restaurants and pubs

Article and photo by Eric H.

Beckett's Pub and Restaurant, Walpole, MA (photo by Eric H.)

Given Boston and vicinity's high Irish population, it's no surprise that there are many terrific Irish restaurants and pubs in the region. Here is a sample of some of the best Irish restaurants and pubs:

Beckett's Pub and Restaurant, Walpole, MA

Beckett's, an Irish Pub in Walpole, MA, has transformed a "dive" into a place worth a drive, 20 miles southwest of Boston.

For many years, the former Kylemore underwent many management changes, none of which ever seemed to capitalize on the potential of this Irish cottage with big windows and a long dining room just waiting to be utilized beyond worn rugs and a pool table.

Now, that's all changed with Beckett's gleaming hardwood floors, red and gold walls with pictures of Ireland, state of the art wide screen televisions and some of the best Irish-American pub food that we've sampled in the Boston area.

The steak and chicken curry dishes with fresh vegetables, Guinness beef stew served with vegetables in a bread bowl, healthy-looking and tasting salads with mixed greens, a good thick New England clam chowder, tasty onions rings, excellent bar pizza, broiled scrod, chicken fajitas and a turkey dinner special all received high marks from us and our family and friends.

Service, never a strong point at the former Kylemore, is sharp, attentive and generally personable at Beckett's. The atmosphere is cozy, dark and perfect for conversation in the family-friendly dining and in the separate handsome circular, wood-dominated bar area which does a great business as locals have increasingly discovered the fine variety of beers and other drinks at this hidden gem. We hope the same holds true for the dining area, which has not yet quite been discovered given the lighter traffic. The drive for locals is well worth it, however, as Beckett's hits on all dining cylinders with its nice atmosphere and service and really good food.

Beckett's, 1065 Main St., (Route 1A), Walpole, MA.. Tel.: (508) 668-1191.

Finnegan's Wake, Walpole, MA A truly attractive, warm, down-to-earth, cozy restaurant, Finnegan's Wake is located in the lower level of a former foundry in a remote section of downtown Walpole, Mass. Irish native Tom Kirwin, with his gracious demeanor and pleasing Irish accent, and Walpole native Kristen Smith (also the master chef) are long-time restauranteurs with a knack for turning our great lunch and dinner selections. Kirwin owned the former Kirwin's Kitchen, a classic Walpole breakfast and lunch place where Smith waitressed. Several years ago, Kirwin decided to close Kirwin's, and with Smith opened Finnegan's Wake around the corner. No "luck of the Irish" was needed here; Smith and Kirwin forged ahead to bring an authentic, high quality Irish restaurant with lots of character to Walpole from day one.

Finnegan's Wake's greatest offerings are a delicious Guinness beef pie, with fish and chips, shepard's pie and roast turkey and of course, a wide variety of beers and ales that would not look out of place in Ireland. For appetizers, the Irish potato pizza has an addictive full body taste, courtesy of fresh potato skins, peppers, tomatoes, scallions and blended cheeses. Desserts include a brownie ala mode bursting with authentic fudge sauce. The soups and salads are fresh (great French onion soup, clam chowder and Caesar salads) and the warm, homemade rolls suggest great things to come before the arrival of the main entrees. Service is always pleasant; judging from the friendliness of the wait and bar staff, they really seem to enjoy working in the attractive and cozy setting.

The atmosphere is indeed memorable. The dining room has high ceilings, soft lighting, soothing yellow and gold tones, subtle candle light at night, huge stylish wooden booths, Irish memorabilia lining the mantle above the high walls and exposed brick walls perfectly married with handsome dark wood. The bar area sports living room comfort with large screen televisions, comfortable tables and wall to wall rugs, mirrors and more dark wood and occasional entertainment (one or two singers at a time) to create the pub you've dreamed about but never quite found. The square footage isn't that large, so on St. Patrick's Day, the crowds are insane after the work day, so try to get there a bit early to find your spot.

Finnegan's Wake is a nice escape from the hectic pace of Boston. It is the perfect dining getaway in a town with a high Irish population that knows it Irish food. They know Finnegan's Wake to be the "real thing," a place close to home that exceeds in quality and ambiance many of the high end Irish restaurants and pubs in Boston.

Finnegan's Wake, 1034 East St., Walpole, MA Tel. (508)668-1189

The Burren, Somerville, MA Those who have been to Ireland say the Burren is the closest thing to an authentic Irish Pub. The nightly Celtic music, the true-to-form traditional Irish fare (as well as many American chicken, steak and fish offerings) and the celebration of friendship over a few beers in a dark, intimate please everyone from the spirited nearby Tufts University crowd to those who miss their favorite native Ireland pub.

The Burren, 247 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville, MA. Tel.. (617) 776-6896

J.P. O'Hanlon's, Ayer, MA Perhaps one of the most underrated Irish restaurants in the region, J.P. O'Hanlan's is a great hidden gem in tiny Ayer, Mass., located in north central Massachusetts. The drink selection includes 26 fresh draughts, an extensive wine selection and Irish whiskys and scotches. The traditional Irish food is terrific, the waitresses connect well with the customers and the atmosphere is spacious, dimly lit with plenty of nice hardwood and a classy but informal bar area. Formerly the home of Tony's, it's nice to have an out-of-this world shepard's pie rather than fried chicken.

J.P. O'Hanlon's, 9 Main Street, Ayer, MA.Tel.(978)772-9282

Desmond O'Malley's, Framingham, MA Designed, built and shipped from Ireland to commercial Route 9 in Framingham, Mass., the charming Desmond O'Malley's caters to everyone by having two separate entrances for the family-friendly dining room and the lively bar with an Irish pub feel, large screen televisions, trivia contests and frequent music entertainment. The variety of draught and bottle beers is seemingly infinite. The menu features fare from all over the world, including some marvelous Irish selections such as whiskey-glazed steak tips, chicken pot pie, shepard's pie, beer-battered fish and chips and bangers and mash (traditional Irish pork sausage with garlic mashed potatoes, gravy and beans).

Desmond O'Malley's, 30 Worcester Rd. (Rt. 9), Framingham, MA. Tel. 508-875-9400

Olde Irish Alehouse -- Dedham, MA The delicious Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, Mulligan Stew (chunks of lamb, potatoes, carrots and onions in a lamb stock) and a Sunday Irish-American brunch suggests there's a chef that really knows that he is doing. The great fare at this large restaurant overlooking the Charles River is further enhanced by many imported and domestic beers, ales and wines, as well as entertainment.

Olde Irish Alehouse, 2 Bridge St., Dedham, MA. Tel. (781) 329-6034

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