Established around 900 AD, Sean’s Bar in Athlone is widely regarded as the oldest pub in Ireland—and possibly the oldest continually operating pub in the world. Its origins trace back to an inn known as Luain’s Inn, named after Luain mac Luighdeach, a local guide who assisted travellers crossing the River Shannon at a fording point. This crossing became known as Áth Luain, meaning “The Ford of Luain,” which later gave rise to the modern town name, Athlone.

Due to its strategic location by the river, the inn became a popular stop for traders and travellers, helping to establish a small settlement that would grow into a bustling town. Sean’s Bar has been rebuilt and updated many times over the centuries, but evidence of its ancient origins still exists.

In the 1970s, during renovations, sections of the pub’s walls were found to be made of wattle and daub, a building technique common in the early medieval period. These materials were professionally dated to the 9th century, and a preserved section is now displayed within the bar itself. Old coins, believed to have been minted by landlords for use as local currency, were also discovered and are currently housed in the National Museum of Ireland.

Given its age and storied past, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Sean’s Bar is said to be haunted. The ghost is believed to be that of a former landlord, whose sudden and mysterious death—possibly the result of an accident or violent encounter—left an unsettled presence behind. Staff and patrons have reported unexplained phenomena such as pint glasses sliding across the bar unaided, the sound of footsteps, and the clinking of glasses when no one is near.