The Guinness Storehouse.

Local culture is many things to many places.  When we’re traveling Ireland, we love to soak up the local pub culture.

Recently, Ireland made no. 2 on the Lonely Planet Top 10 list of World’s Best Booze and where to drink it list.

Guinness at the Summit Bar.

The country is famous for its Guinness and the Storehouse in James’ Gate, Dublin (above).

Other great Irish stouts and beers are Murphy’s Irish Stout, Beamish, Smithwicks and Kilkenny beer.

At Ireland’s first microbrewery, Biddy Early Brewery in Ennis, Co. Clare, there is even a beer made from seaweed.

Irish whiskey, which is distilled three times, is made at whiskey distilleries around the country.  Some of the more famous include the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork and the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin.

Here are 12 favorite pubs in Ireland from Tourism Ireland:

1. Kelly’s Cellars, Belfast: “One of Belfast’s oldest pubs and it does a mean Irish stew.”

2.  O’Loclainn’s Whiskey Pub, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare: “Impressive collection of over 200 bottles of whiskey.”

3. Neáchtain’s (nock-tans), Galway: “Has the local beer Galway Hooker on tap and an amazing atmosphere.”

4.  Jimmy O’Brien’s, Killarney: “Where the only topic of conversation is Gaelic Football and the locals will be happy to educate you about it.”

5. Franciscan Well Brewery, Cork: “For brewing its own beer & its enormous beer garden!”

6. Tomney’s, Moy, Co.Tyrone: “Over 300 years in the Tomney family, it is a gem of a pub.”

7  Summit Bar, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin: “Enjoy a perfect pint of the black stuff with 360 ° views of Dublin city.”

8. Gartlan’s Pub, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan: “Forgot some groceries? No problem, you can buy them in this thatched pub!”

9. Beach Bar, Templeboy, Co. Sligo: “17th century beachfront bar with hot showers available for surfers and swimmers to freshen up before having a drink.”

10. The Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast: “An ornate and historic bar owned by the National Trust.”

11. Kyteler’s Inn, Kilkenny: “Established in 1324, the inn is well known for its music sessions.”

12. Matt Molloy’s, Westport, Co. Mayo: “For its nightly traditional music and the fact that owner Matt has recently sent one of his flutes into space with American Nasa astronaut Catherine “Cady” Coleman.”

Images courtesy of Tourism Ireland