When and how was the Irish pub invented? Or indeed the 'Irish pub' - now to be found in thousands of places across the world. How has the pub evolved to become a global symbol of Irishness and how has it come to occupy a central position in our drama, poetry, novels, art and design? Does the pub remain a crucial place in the Irish community, or has it been usurped by the coffee shop and the gym? Does this matter? Often labelled an institution 'in crisis', what indeed does the future hold for the Irish pub in Ireland and internationally? This is the first book-length academic study of this celebrated institution. Contributors from across history, design, literary studies and the social sciences interrogate the many ways the Irish pub has been invented and reinvented over the centuries. It offers hidden histories, inside stories, new perspectives and perceptive analyses. From Dublin's Long Hall to Oliver's Place in Lapland, it draws on the experiences of hundreds of Irish pubs, both celebrated and obscure, to provide a complex picture of this global phenomenon. As ever in its history, the Irish pub is changing and evolving. This fascinating and engaging volume will inspire some concerns, and some hope, about its future trajectory and place in the world.